Accusations, Sinhala Kings, History And The Muslims In Sri Lanka

Jewelers - Galle 1870's

By Rifai Naleemi -

Dr. Rifai Naleemi

Patriotism, Allegiance And Loyalty Of Sri Lankan Muslims To Mother Lanka - Part – 2

Historical origins of Srilankan Muslims:

It is pathetic that some extremist Buddhist people are protesting against Muslims in Sri Lanka today for no reason. Muslim people have been accused of many social issues. They have done nothing wrong in Sri Lankan history and they have been accusing of spreading fundamentalism in Sir Lanka . They have been accused of supporting al-Qaida. They have been accused of supporting Taliban. They have been accusing of building more mosques in Sri Lanka. They have been accused of marrying Sinhalese girls. They have been accused of increasing their population. They have been accused of accumulating money by selling Halal food. They have been accused of forcing Buddhist people to eat halal food. They have been accused of being disloyal to Sri Lanka. This list of accusations could go on countless. But the entire Muslim community is innocent from all these allegations and accusations. There may have been some misunderstanding in some of these issues and yet, such misunderstanding should be clarified: We all need some clarity of thought on these issues: some of these issues are exaggerated and inflated very much by the some extreme people.

Muslim community is free from all these deliberate allegations and fabrication. All these accusations are baseless and deplorable denunciations. Despite these unfounded allegations Muslim people have been maintaining patience and indeed they have been praying for peace and calm to prevail in this beautiful Island. It is undeniable fact that the majority people in this country are Buddhists people and this is indeed a factual reality and others are minority communities: These two factual realities and Muslim people precisely appreciate and acknowledge this fact: We have been respecting Sinhalese people and their way of life and we never intended to inflict harm or hurt their religious feeling at all any time in Sir Lankan history. Historically speaking we have been defenders of this Island. There is no need to accuse Muslim people with all these unsubstantiated allegations for no reason.

Muslim people have been loyal citizens of this country for many centuries and we have hope and optimism that Muslim people will be loyal citizens of this country for ever as long as they live on this Island. We have one thousand years of proven history to say that we had been loyal citizens of this Island. Sri Lankan History itself testifies this. It is not my objective in this article to respond to all these unfounded accusations but rather I would like to narrate some historical events to exhibit Muslim loyalty to this country. I think that such historical narrations would encourage people to think objectively at this time without any prejudice or discriminations Sri Lankan people should think positively away from all types of racial discriminations and bias prejudices.It is pathetic to note that historical origins and antiquities of Muslim people have been badly questioned today by these extremist people. Moreover, mere existence of Muslim people has been threatened by this handful of people. Some deliberate attempts have been made to create doubt and suspicion about historical origin of Muslim people. What more surprising is that these so called guardians of Buddhism do not have any historical knowledge to speak about Muslim history? The historical origin and antiquity of Muslim people have been well recorded in Sri Lankan history books and I shall recall some of these records to demarcate Muslim loyalty, allegiance and patriotism to this nation.

It is unfortunate that children in Sri Lankan schools do not have historical lessons to learn and understand the historical roots of minority communities in Sri Lanka. Sri Lankan Muslim history has not been taught in Sri Lankan schools, institutes and universities. Consequently, the majority of people in Sri Lanka have no any clue about Muslim peoples’ historical origin: It is duty of Sri Lankan educational establishments to educate students on this subject so that they would appreciate and acknowledge Muslim contributions in Sri Lanka. Such projects should be initiated by Sri Lankan government to foster peace and social harmony in Sri Lanka. Yet, historical contributions of minority groups have been deliberately ignored in Sri Lanka. We shall try here to trace historical origins of Muslims in Sri Lanka so that we people could appreciate their loyalty to this nation.

It has been often said that Sri Lankan Muslim people are not loyal to Sri Lanka but their loyalty rather lies somewhere in some Muslim countries: It is said that Sri Lankan Muslim has his one leg in Sri Lanka and other one somewhere else in a Muslim country: This allegation is a baseless allegation and historical and practical examples of Muslim people tell us that they have been loyal citizens of this country ever since they settled in the Island. There is no doubt about it. Did Muslim people take wealth of this nation out of this country as colonial powers did? Did they take destroy the natural resources of this country? Did they conspire to destabilize this nation at any time in the history?

A historical account of Muslim and Sinhalese relationship testifies an intimate communal bond between these communities. indeed, Arab traders got married Sinhalese ladies in early period of Muslim settlements in Sri Lanka: This happened with the consent of Sri Lankan kings: Why did Sinhalese kings allow Muslim people to settle in the Island. There were some socio-historical and economic reasons for such privilege offered to Muslim in the early period of Muslim history in Sri Lanka.

Early Muslim settlement in Ceylon:

Historical records tell us that in the pre-colonial historical times Arab people were sole traders in South East Asian countries. They were experts in the sea navigation and they engaged in sea trade in pre-colonial times. According to SG Perera. “The initial settlement of Arab took place in Sri Lanka during the reign of the King Pandukabhaya. It was reported that the King allocated lands for the Yonas (Muslims) at Anuradhapura. This historical account was recorded in (Mahavansa). (S.G Perera. P.16, the Portuguese and Dutch Period 1505-1796). This is what historical chronicle of Sri Lanka says about early Muslim settlement in Sri Lanka. It was argued that with the defeat and disintegration of Roman Empire in the 3^rd A.D their trade domination was also gradually crumbled and disappeared. Historians argued that this trade vacuum was duly filled by Arab and Persians sea traders in the South eastern Asian countries. This was the time when Islamic Empire was rapidly expanding in the East and West. Historians are amazed at the rapid progress of Islamic empire in a short of period of time. During the Umayyad dynasty Islam spread so quickly in the west and East: It was reported that after the conquest of Persia (Iran) Syria and Egypt Arabs were able to control all important ports and trading centers between East and West It was reported that by about the 8^th century A.D the Arabs had formed colonies at the important ports of Indian and Ceylon coastal areas. It was reported that presence of Arabs at the ports of Ceylon was confirmed by the discoveries of some inscriptions in Colombo, Trincomalee and Puliantivu. ((Kamalika Pieris. P.8 )

Sri Lankan Muslim history was recorded by Ibn Batuta in his travelogue. According to him at the end of the 7^thcentury a colony of Muslim traders had settled and established in Ceylon. Arab people were attracted to Ceylon because of its beautiful natural splendour. Moreover, Adam Peak might have attracted them as well: In addition to this people in Ceylon in those days were so friendly and kind. This might have paved the way for the permanent settlement: Moreover, history attests that early settlers were well received by the kings on those days. Most of them lived in the coastal areas in peace and harmony with local people and they did maintain trade and cultural contacts with Islam Empire in Baghdad and other Islamic cities. Kamilika Pieris. P. 8 )

The historical origin of Sri Lankan Muslim has also been traced back to the House of Hashemite as well. According to Tikiri Abeyasinghale in his Portuguese Rule in Ceylon 1594-1612 the first Mohammadans of Ceylon were a portion of those Arabs of the House of Hashim, who were driven from Arabia in the early part of the 8^th century by the tyranny of the Caliph Abdel Malik bin Marwan, and who proceeding from the Euphrates Southwards made settlements in the concan in the southern parts of the Peninsula of India, on the Island of Ceylon and Malacca. The divine of them which came to Ceylon formed eight considerable settlements along the North-East, North and Western cost of that Island, viz one at Trincomalee, one at Jaffna. One at Colombo, one at barbareen, and one at point de Galle. (T.Abeyasinghe. p. 192). As we noted earlier socio-political and religious historical circumstances and factors contributed to Muslim settlements in Ceylon: Kamilika Peiris identifies the following religious and economic factors for the growth of Muslim settlements in Sri Lanka.

It is true that Muslim do not have historical chronicles as Sinhalese and Tamil have and yet, Arab trade history could be traced from Silk route trade history. It is true that we Muslim have failed to do any systematic and scientific research about the historical origin of Muslim in Sri Lanka. Works of Arab historians may be useful in this regard to rewrite Muslim history in Sri Lanka: It is a monumental task for Muslim intellectuals and academics to peruse such academic studies rather than referring to recent historical works. We should go classical historical works to understand our own history.

1) Economic interests of Sinhalese kings:

During those days Sinhalese people were only interested in farming and cultivation and they rarely dared to venture out of Island for fear of their lives. The Muslim people dominated trade on the sea and lands. Thus, Sinhalese kings encouraged and favoured Muslim settlements in Ceylon for economic and trade interests: Because Muslim people had overseas contact in trade and politics: Muslim made Ceylon a famous place in the Middle East by this trade expansion and their contacts with Muslim world. This seems that Sinhalese kings permitted Muslim settlements because they brought wealth, incomes and prosperity to the Island:

2) Religious tolerance of local Sinhalese people is another main factor that contributed to the growth of Muslim settlements in Ceylon. (Kamilika Peiris. P. 9)

It was unthinkable that Muslim people would have settled in Ceylon those days without official invitation of Sinhalese kings and people. Those were days of piracies in the sea and lands. How could Muslims people settle in a stage land without official reception? How could they would have survived for the last 10 centuries had they not been welcomed in this Island? Sinhalese people were kinds and compassionate by nature that might have encouraged Muslim settlements. It was mutual interests of both communities that made Muslim settlement possible in Sri Lanka. The pattern of early Muslim settlements testify that Muslim came to Sri Lanka as traders and businessmen: Most of early settlements were wet up around the surrounding of posts and coastal areas on trade routes. It was unthinkable that early Arab traders would have accompanied with wives to Ceylon in those precarious long sea journey to Ceylon: Hence, it could be assumed that they would have married local women (Kamilika Peiris. P. 9). This would not have taken place without approval of Sinhalese kings. Religiously speaking such assumption was not unviable those days. Marrying more than one wife is traditional and religiously sanctioned in Islam.

Lorna Dewaraja in her book “ The Muslims of Sri Lankan: 1000 years of ethnic harmony: 900 A.D 1915AD argues that Muslims have got one thousand years of peaceful history in Sri Lankan soil and they managed to get on well with Sinhalese throughout this long period of history: She maintains that Muslim people have some traditional Sinhalese family names which clearly allude to their ancestral family roots of Muslim people today: while Muslim people maintain their original family trees they preserved their religious identity as well in their Islamic names: Sinhala names were used in profession and legal documents to testify their origin and ownership o properties and lands: (Dewaraja.pp12-13) This shows that Sri Lankan Muslims have been maintaining their cultural and religious identity while recognising their ancestral and family trees in the Island:

Lorna Dewaraja further contends that Muslim people and Sinhalese kings had amicable relationship from ancient time right thorough Kandyan epoch. The kings of Sri Lankan reckoned that Muslim traders were economically and politically an asset and for that reason Kings not only gave permission for Muslim people to settle in Sri Lanka but also guaranteed their safety and security (Dewaraja. P.4) otherwise, how could Muslim people survive throughout long period in Sri Lnaka and she further notes that “ Right through from the Anuradhapura period to Kandyan times there was a Muslim lobby operating in the Sri Lankan court. It advised the king on overseas trade policy. They also kept the king informed of development abroad. The Muslim trader with his navigational skills and overseas contacts become the secret channel of communication between the court and the outside world” (Dewaraja.P.8).

What a shrewd diplomacy of Sri Lankan kings was this? It is unfortunate that in our modern time some politicians and some extremist Sinhalese people are short-sighted in their assessment of such broader diplomacy today. Those days Sri Lankan kings were cleaver enough to know the importance of international relationship for the prosperity of the nation. They knew well that such cordial relationship was beneficial to all. Some kings sent some Muslim people as ambassadors to some Muslim nations: It was recorded that “in the 13^th century Al-Haj Aby Uthman was sent by the Sri Lankan kings Buvanekabahu 1 to the Mamluk court of Egypt to negotiate direct trade (Dewaraja. PP.8-16). They were cleaver enough to use skills and experience of Muslims for the greater benefits of countries. Muslims served in the courtyard of kings as security personals and officials because those days Kandiyan kings had faith and confidence in Muslims. Kings knew well that Muslims would not betray them in all circumstance. Some Muslims served as chefs and cooks in the courtyard of kings because Kings had faith in them that they would not harm them at all. Some Muslim people provided supervision during the great Buddhist religious functions and festivals.

To be continued next week.

Why MaRa threatened fashion Bug exposed : Justice Minister confirming MaRa’s threats laments SL legal processes in peril

(Lanka-e-News-07.April.2013, 11.55PM)  hen the Fashion Bug owners were seeking legal redress following the attack launched at its Pepiliyana establishment by the Bodhu Bala Sena(BBS) , the regime chief (the President of SL!) MaRa took the trouble to directly intimidate and threaten the Establishment against going into legal action. This is because , the regime is directly linked to that attack, according to reports reaching Lanka e news.

MaRa had threatened the establishment to arrive at a settlement without producing the CCTV footage of the attack because , the CCTV recording produced to the police clearly reveals that among the hoodlums who launched the attack were army intelligence unit officers. After the DIG Anura Senanayake who is in charge of the investigations had informed Gotabaya of this , MaRa had posed the threats and intimidations to Fashion Bug owners.

Moreover , when the calls on the mobile phone of the assailants that were taken into custody by the police were examined , it was discovered that these assailants while attacking the establishment were exchanging calls with the defense Ministry.

It is in order to suppress this direct unlawful involvement of Gotabaya in this attack that MaRa had taken the unlawful initiative and threatened the Fashion Bug owners against revealing the CCTV footage. The exposure of these truths were first made by Lanka e news on 2nd April under the caption ‘ MaRa threatens fashion Bug owners ……’. The Justice Minister Rauf Hakeem subsequently confirmed the truth of our report – on the 4th making a statement to foreign media , he said, 

he had spoken to Fashion Bug owners , who had informed that they were threatened to cave in to a settlement . The owners had been frightened that if they go for legal process , they would have to face more complex problems , and therefore they had no option but to yield to a settlement. Rauf Hakeem had also told the foreign media, the entire foundation and edifice of the laws of the country are gravely threatened in the present climate in the country.

Sri Lanka And Indian / American Agendas

By Austin Fernando -April 8, 2013 |

Austin Fernando

Having read a post by HE Jaliya Wickramasuriya, our Ambassador in the USA, titled “A Role for Sri Lanka in US Pivot to Asia”, I thought it may be ideal to understand how others compete to be in the US pivot to Asia to do business. I mean “business” only in economic terms and exclude issues such as politics, rights, accountability etc; the presently more quoted US interests.

Concurrently, Minister Maithripala Sirisena stating that “the Sri Lankan government had implicit faith in the Indian central government and would continue to maintain close ties with them despite the current situation in Tamil Nadu” meant to me another aspect of relationship building with India. Since USA and India are hand in glove on many fronts Minister Sirisena’s statement too should be considered as a means to engage India and the USA as a joint response for a common cause.

Therefore, these may be showing attitudinal change of the government to the powers that are considered internationally anti-thematic towards Sri Lanka, e.g. Geneva. Very little discussion is in public domain on this ‘silent relationship building efforts.’

Ambassador Wickramasuriya has focused on the trend of western economic and political power shifting east by reinforcing trade and security alliances across Asia. He suggested examining President Obama’s foreign policy pivots to Asia and the unfolding vision of “America’s Pacific Century.” viz: U.S. strategic relations with Sri Lanka. He orchestrated links between Americans and Sri Lanka before 2009 and how the post-conflict status is being handled by Sri Lanka, and impressed on the potential openings for Americans and projected rebuilding trade partnership and means to become a stronger geopolitical and strategic ally of the USA. This is beckoning the Americans.

Media rightly commented whether Ambassador Wickramasuriya “is mooting his own foreign policy” and its possible fallout- especially when there are some Sri Lankan friends who do not have positive relations with Americans. While pondering how this economic and defense vision could be widened, I think this is certainly a pacifying approach after Geneva- March 2013. In that we must be aware of how for instance Indians deal with Americans in the fields of Wickramasuriya’s interests. Such recapitulation could be appropriate ‘Lessons Learnt’ even for Minister Sirisena to exhibit his genuine intentions.

Defense pivoting

Relationship building anticipated by both cannot be instantaneous. It is time consuming and overarching. In it there should be factual presentations, deep understanding and adjustments. To enlighten I may quote U.S.-India Defense Trade opportunities for deepening the partnership between India and USA, as discussed by Amer Latif and Ambassador Karl F. Inderfurth.

They have taken Georges Seurat’s ‘pointillism’ as a simile and pointed out that “U.S.-India defense relations could be taking shape with each defense dialogue, each defense sale, each military exercise,” another dot being applied to the canvas of U.S.-India defense ties that is slowly, gradually, taking shape as an increasingly important defense partnership. This stance has enhanced partnerships to an extent for Defense Secretary Leon Panetta to refer to India as a “linchpin” in America’s new defense strategy focused on “rebalancing” to the Asia-Pacific region. Can we participate in this performance? I doubt very much.

Increasing defense trade has been an important component of expanding partnership, proved by U.S. defense orders reaching US$ 9 billion plus from a negligible base. Lankan defense trade is more with China, Russia and Pakistan- less friendly with Americans- and to expect USA to call us the “linchpin” may be a distant dream. Concurrent praise of the military and government by Deputy Defense Minister from China and Defense Secretary from Pakistan last week, along with the news of presence of Chinese nuclear submarines sighted in the Indian Ocean close to Sri Lanka may not submit the most suitable time to even discuss this subject! In that background, Wickramasuriya’s approach may not be the best to some with militaristic orientation, as we would not have won LTTE terror without these countries. With the potential for criticism of showing ingratitude, and, derogatory rhetoric made against Americans / Indians by politicians and powerful bureaucrats, the task before Wickramasuriya could be uphill.

Further, the institutional aspect was reinforced by Panetta by appointing Deputy Defense Secretary Ashton Carter as the point man for deepening bilateral defense trade. He wished cutting through “bureaucratic red tape on both sides” to make defense trade simple, responsive, and effective. Do we need similar initiatives?

One important recommendation made in the USA – perhaps a platform for pivoting- on defense business was that India should increase the percentage of foreign direct investments (FDIs) in India’s defense sector to over 50% from 26%, which was inadequate incentive for US companies to invest in India. This was considered as probably offending Indian sensitivities about excessive foreign investment in the Indian defense sector. However, it was thought of as an arrangement that could ultimately help India’s efforts to develop its own defense industry, through state-of-the-art defense industrial practices and technology transfers. We are not there as yet.

Another was that the U.S. government should seriously examine the possibility of greater coproduction and co-development projects with India. Co-development would not initially delve into sensitive technologies and focus on non-sensitive defense equipment that mutually adds value. Panetta declared that in the long term he was certain that this would transition defense trade to substantial co-production, and, eventually, high-technology joint research and development. We do not anticipate such.

Hence, envisaged pivoting mechanisms are many. I do not hear such in Sri Lanka or by Americans or Indians on Sri Lanka. The growing suspicion in lieu is our potential defense arrangements with China, i.e. purported “Hambantota to be a Chinese Naval Base”, China assisting military camp upgrading in the north close to India, Chinese nuclear submarines etc. These may be even bogus claims. But, such suspicions could influence Americans and Indians, which will keep them on “back foot”, and withdraw from cooperation in defense and even economic development arrangements. However, the Chinese may be worrying with Wickramasuriya’s proposition. Minister Sirisena may note these complexities.

Nirupama Rao’s Indian Agenda

With his ambassadorial experience in Washington and the proximity to President Rajapaksa, Wickramasuriya could be a great canvasser to execute his “new foreign policy”. However, he may be well advised to glimpse through what HE Nirupama Rao, Indian Ambassador in Washington, a very intelligent lady, had to say regarding how India is accessing the US pivot in Asia-Pacific- the same interest Wickramasuriya possesses, in addition to the earlier mentioned political complexities.

On March 15th 2013 Rao’s remarks made at a Statesmen’s Forum of the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) on the “U.S- India Economic Agenda in 2013″ may be helpful to Wickramasuriya. Wickramasuriya may convince CSIS’s Inderfurth on the ‘Sri Lankan agenda with the USA’, and be a competitor to Rao to attract Americans, by presenting his case. He may be perhaps guided by what Rao did.

Need for studies

Rao spoke of two extremely insightful and thought-provoking studies (i.e. ‘Bilateral Investment Treaty and Beyond’ and ‘Changing Nature of India- US trade and economic relations’.) Americans do not fall in line by just seeing programmes emerging from nowhere and therefore similar studies will help Wickramasuriya. The robust optimism Rao expressed for India cannot be facilitated by 150 person-groups visiting Washington with our President. Rao considered the two reports, taken together, presented a comprehensive roadmap for the future of India-U.S economic relations and focused on the two pillars of Indian economic co-operation; namely, mutual investments and trade; and, an outline of the broad context in which Indians see the possibilities of greater engagement between the two countries. She quoted from the latest Budget Speech by Minister Chidambaram to reinforce her excellent presentation, which I do not find in Wickramasuriya’s, most likely due to some political urgency dictated by Geneva for hasty preparation and submission.

Economic information

Rao’s presentation was a lesson in itself. It had restricted political or economic rhetoric, but included information on economic growth, need for rapid growth and huge investments, opening the economy with FDI reforms (e.g. that FDIs to India have increased from U.S $ 35 billion in 2007-08 to U.S $ 47 billion in 2011-12; portfolio investment norms relaxations for Foreign Institutional Investors in certain categories, e.g. Government securities and corporate bonds), economic achievements in increasing net portfolio investment into India touching US $ 17 billion in 2011-12 etc.

She shared information on the investment climate, functioning of the strengthened Cabinet Committee on Investment, power / energy issues, critical sectors such as infrastructure, agro-processing and manufacturing, and projected a bounce for the Indian economy to its targeted trajectory of 8-9% per annum growth. This scenario was considered by Rao to prove the immense potential for attracting U.S investments into India considering the U.S as the world’s leading investor, holding 14.8% of total global FDI stock in 2010. This approach was comparatively less in Wickramasuriya’s presentation. Of course, his presentation was short and he is not an economist of such character and the Ministries of External Affairs, Finance, Investment Promotion and the Central Bank ought to have guided him, as what ought to have been done by Delhi with Rao, in addition to professionalism in the latter.

The opportunities available to attract FDIs can be gauged from what Rao said emphasizing that except for 2005, the U.S has remained the universal leading source of FDI for the past decade, with a total FDI outflow in 2011 being around U.S $ 400 billion and India receiving between January 2000 and July 2012 U.S $10.88 billion of it, creating nearly 355,600 jobs (2007- 2011) and projected the US investment sectors as infrastructure, manufacturing, financial services and cold chain & retail. This is coming from a country that had in the past considered foreign investors as lepers!

Reverting investments

Of course, one important area in which Sri Lanka cannot match India is the Indian investments in the U.S and job creation in the USA. This is due to progressive liberalization in India’s overseas investment policies. Rao quoted a study which revealed that during July 2010–July 2012 Indian investments in the USA maintained a strong momentum witnessing 87 mergers and acquisitions with a cumulative disclosed value of US $4.3 billion. Can Sri Lanka similarly attract Indian investment by grabbing a few investments made in the USA? Of course, HE Prasad Kariyawasam in Delhi may have to go for the kill. Unfortunately, Kariyawasam is bound settling Tamilnadu issues, cricketers’ safety and finding family trees or pedigree of original Sinhalese in India! According to Confederation of Indian Industries estimates, cumulative Indian investments in the USA (2000-2010) stood at US $ 6.6 billion. This is what we have to grab, of course there are ignored issues such as CEPA.

Commercial and other ties

According to Rao the other areas of cooperation between India and the USA have covered strong commercial ties reflected in bilateral trade in goods and services touching U.S$100 billion for 2011 which may further increase. US exports around US$ 3.3 billion in educational services in 2011 reflect a key strength of education cooperation, linking people-to-people transforming the landscape of relationships. These areas may not be that prominent with economic cooperation between Sri Lanka and the USA, though the rhetoric Minister SB Dissanayake shows different attitudes. Wickramasuriya may have to also influence such thinking.

Rao’s presentation has given many areas of cooperation such as providing food security, improving agricultural productivity and boosting rural incomes, thus escalating the profile of the agriculture dialogue, particularly in commodity trading, seeds, tractors, farm machines, logistics, retail and marketing etc. She focused of non-traditional areas such as education and skill development leading to mutual strategic partnerships. Probably the size of the country, population, opportunities etc may not permit such vast cooperation between Sri Lanka and the US, but these are adjustable quantum.

Potential for dialogue

She impressed on the India-U.S. Homeland Security dialogue, launched in 2010 which had identified technology as one of strategic priorities in India-U.S. cooperation in trade and collaboration. Her attention drew on innovation, economy of products, technology solutions and service delivery platforms for bilateral commercial engagement. She prioritized value creation in addressing developmental challenges. Her recognition of the platform of the India-U.S CEO Forum bringing the leadership of the top Indian and US companies in shaping a vision of bilateral economic cooperation was another potential to provide valuable guidance in setting inter-governmental priorities and creating new avenues for productive engagement. These are unheard in our relations with US or with Indians.

Economic concerns

With deep trade and commercial relationships she predicted new issues and concerns created on both sides and highlighted the need to assess these issues from the long term perspective of bilateral cooperation. To what extent we have gone through such will be a matter of concern for Minister Sirisena and Ambassador Wickramasuriya.

Just as US businesses have some concerns; Indian industry has also highlighted its concerns. Rao spoke of effects on the Indian Information Technology industry facing regulatory challenges in the USA. She highlighted problems of initiating a dialogue with the US on a bilateral Totalization Agreement. In pursuit of broader and deeper India-U.S commercial cooperation, and to address bilateral policy and regulatory concerns, India and USA have inter-governmental mechanisms, including the Ministerial Trade Policy Forum which should be activated according to Rao. She stressed that to go forward India and the U.S also need to explore new trade and economic cooperation arrangements with momentum on the Bilateral Investment Treaty, or otherwise, of any future bilateral economic partnership arrangements. Is Sri Lanka there? Wickramasuriya’s presentation does not project these, obviously for the length of his presentation.

The India-US partnership has been termed as “a defining partnership of the 21st century” by President Obama, said Rao and added “We need to remain committed and engaged at all levels, continuously and without pause, overcoming any challenges that may exist. She was very optimistic about the future, and of the firm view that the economic relationship between the two democracies can only become stronger with the passage of time.” How confident and optimistic are we with India or the USA?

Futuristic projection

Once, Henry Kissinger’s views were sought about Indians pursuing a policy of “strategic autonomy.” Domestically this is what has irked many Sri Lankan political commentators right now. Kissinger has responded: “I think India should pursue its own perception of its national interest. And I hope that on key issues we [India and the US] can find a parallel policy.” Asked to explain his concept of parallel policies and whether they could converge, Kissinger said they were already doing so in many areas, adding: “I would like to think that each side following its own convictions leads to results that are compatible and cooperative.” India as once said by Shri Jawaharlal Nehru first gave priority to its national interest in decision making at the United Nations. Let us not misunderstand others on this subtle value of strategic autonomy and national interest, which will not be erased to suit our issues. This is the reality..

Based on political conceptualities some question why India should go against Sri Lanka in Geneva. Kissinger and Nehru explain one facet of Indian thinking. Rao explains the most modern version arising from diplomacy and economics. Both converged gives the sense of how we should look at relationships that should be built. It may not be so straight forward as Ambassador Wickramasuriya envisaged.

The relationships based on all these quotes give priority to national interest and parallel policies. Therefore, if we are to pursue relationship building with Indians and Americans, as envisaged by Minster Sirisena and Ambassador Wickramasuriya, we may keep in our minds the need to collate these priorities, act logically and diplomatically. And, one could be happy that we are on the correct path if these two statements by the Minister and Ambassador are genuinely oozing from the bottom of their hearts, and not for short-term manipulation, because Indians and Americans, as seen above work on a common platform, not only based on past history and concepts, but on new modalities, which Rao has explained eloquently. Let these be ‘Lessons Learnt’ for our Minister and Ambassador.

WikiLeaks Cable Reveals US Embassy Strategy to Destabilize Chavez Government

Salem-News.com-Apr-08-2013

USAID organized 3,000 forums that sought to essentially reconcile Chavez supporters and the political opposition.

Hugo Chavez (AFP Photo / Leo Ramirez)

(WASHINGTON DC RT) - In a secret US cable published online by WikiLeaks, former ambassador to Venezuela, William Brownfield, outlines a comprehensive plan to infiltrate and destabilize former President Hugo Chavez' government.

Dispatched in November of 2006 by Brownfield -- now an Assistant Secretary of State -- the document outlined his embassy’s five core objectives in Venezuela since 2004, which included: “penetrating Chavez’ political base,” “dividing Chavismo,” “protecting vital US business” and “isolating Chavez internationally.”

The memo, which appears to be totally un-redacted, is plain in its language of involvement in these core objectives by the US embassy, as well as the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Office of Transition Initiatives (OTI), two of the most prestigious agencies working abroad on behalf of the US.

According to Brownfield, who prepared the cable specifically for US Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), the “majority” of both USAID and OTI activities in Venezuela were concerned with assisting the embassy in accomplishing its core objectives of infiltrating and subduing Chavez’ political party:

“This strategic objective represents the majority of USAID/OTI work in Venezuela. Organized civil society is an increasingly important pillar of democracy, one where President Chavez has not yet been able to assert full control.”

In total, USAID spent some one million dollars in organizing 3,000 forums that sought to essentially reconcile Chavez supporters and the political opposition, in the hopes of slowly weaning them away from the Bolivarian side.

Brownfield at one point boasted of an OTI civic education program named “Democracy Among Us,” which sought to work through NGOs in low income regions, and had allegedly reached over 600,000 Venezuelans.

In total, between 2004 and 2006, USAID donated some 15 million dollars to over 300 organizations, and offered technical support via OTI in achieving US objectives which it categorized as seeking to reinforce democratic institutions.

Much of the memo details efforts to highlight instances of human rights violations, and sponsoring activists and members of the political opposition to attend meetings abroad and voice their concerns against the Chavez administration:

“So far, OTI has sent Venezuelan NGO leaders to Turkey, Scotland, Mexico, Dominican Republic, Chile, Uruguay, Washington and Argentina (twice) to talk about the law. Upcoming visits are planned to Brazil, Mexico, and Colombia.”

In his closing comments, Brownfield remarked that, should President Chavez win re-election during the December 2006 elections, OTI expected the “atmosphere for our work in Venezuela” to become more complicated.

Ultimately, it seems that the former ambassador’s memo wisely predicted a change in conditions. Following his re-election, President Chavez threatened to eject the US ambassador from Venezuela in 2007, amid accusations of interfering in internal state affairs.

Events: Anoushka Shankar’s “Traveller” Returns To London

April 8, 2013

Following her 2011 sold out concert, Anoushka Shankar returns to Queen Elizabeth Hall.

The only artist in the world to be trained completely by her father, Ravi Shankar, Anoushka Shankar is carrying forward his legacy while carving out for herself a much-acclaimed solo career.

Having accompanied Ravi Shankar at many concerts from the age of just 13, she has also shared the stage with many of the world’s top artists, including Sting, Madonna, Nina Simone, Herbie Hancock, Elton John, Peter Gabriel and James Taylor.

Her latest album ‘Traveller’ traces the roots of Flamenco music back to Rajasthani gypsies, earning her Songlines Magazine’s Best Artist Award (2012) and a nomination for a Grammy Award in the Best World Music Album category.

This performance of ‘Traveller’ features a special group of Rajasthani dancers accompanying the music.

Queen Elizabeth Hall, Saturday 13 April 2013

For more info click here

Canadians outraged by RBC foreign-worker outsourcing fiasco

MICHAEL BABAD-Monday, Apr. 08 2013,

Indeed, RBC may well have miscalculated its response by putting the blame on an independent supplier, and one wonders if the bank will be forced to take further action soon.

As The Globe and Mail’s Sophie Cousineau reports, the Canadian government is probing the subcontracting of some of the bank’s investor services back-office work to iGate Corp., a move that will cost 45 RBC employees in Toronto their jobs.

RBC tried yesterday to distance itself from the events first reported by CBC.

Here’s what Greg Grice, the bank’s chief procurement officer said:

“RBC agreements with suppliers, including in this case iGate, requires them to ensure that they are abiding by the applicable regulations. External suppliers allow us to leverage their scale and technical skills to continually improve our operation processes and service, and re-invest in initiatives that enhance the client experience.”

And this from Zabeen Hirji, RBC’s chief human resources officer:

“We recognize the impact of this situation on our employees and we continue to remain focused on assisting our employees through this transition. We are working diligently to find suitable roles for those affected and it is our hope over the next few months to transition them to other positions.”

It didn’t say what it would do about iGate. Indeed, it doesn’t appear to be taking any responsibility for the actions of its supplier, which has brought some of the replacement workers in from India to learn the job.

That doesn’t appear to be good enough for Diane Finley, the Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, who, given that foreign workers are only supposed to be used when Canadians can’t fill the jobs, said that, if it’s accurate, “this situation is unacceptable.”

And, as any bank that has gone through the hate-love relationship with Canadians should know, it won’t wash with the masses.

There’s now a Facebook page calling for a boycott, with a picture of a cute little kid crying, sitting nearby that RBC guy in the blue suit and bowler hat, with this tagline: “Your child’s future outsourced. Lost Canadian jobs you can bank on.”

Twitter is also abuzz.

Here are just some of the many comments on RBC’s Facebook page, related to the bank’s statement, with some people complaining that their posts were removed:

“I've done all my banking with RBC for the past 25 years. Tomorrow I'll be beginning the process of closing all my accounts.” Tammy Everts

“Your crisis-management response is insulting. But hey, you need the millions of $$$ - just keep your shareholders happy & stay focused on profits above all else. I will not do business with you.” Janet King-Coates

“We are moving our car loan, RRSP’s and car and auto insurance as soon as you open your doors today. Shame on you. I hope this hits you hard.” Doris Baker

“Anytime we use ‘suppliers,' which means contracting the work out to another company be there in Canada or elsewhere it is usually done to bring in workers at reduced wages. This will never be an asset to Canada. I am not focusing on RBC because this practice is done everywhere in Canada; you have just been the first one that the media have brought to the public's eye.” Katherine Browning-Cross

“Very disappointing, this is exactly why Canada's young people can't find work or are underemployed. Regardless of spin, you're still moving paying jobs from our country to another overseas.” Beverly Ivey-Newell

“To you it may only be 50 people but the people involved, it is 100 per cent of their livelihoods ... shame on RBC and the Conservative government for allowing this to happen.” Jean Campbell Priest

“I have closed my RBC account and a number of friends and family are doing the same. Shame on you RBC, I truly hope there is a movement of exodus to other banking institutions.” Colin MacKay

“RBC makes billions of dollars profit each quarter, the CEO is paid millions per year, the assets consists of my Canadian bank account. This is not acceptable! Reconsider your practices.” Jim Langeveld

“You didn’t directly hire foreigners to take Canadian jobs – iGate did – RBC just hired iGate.” Michele Engel

(All of this, by the way, is just above the RBC post that asks readers if they’re “excited” about Target Corp.’s arrival in Canada: “Be prepared and apply for the Target RBC MasterCard today so you can save 5 per cent* off almost everything in-store.” Just sayin’.)

• Ottawa to probe RBC job outsourcing

Portugal back in eye of stormThe euro zone crisis has shifted back to Portugal after a court ruling rejecting austerity measures.

Portugal, which has been bailed out by international lenders, may now be forced to find other ways to cut in order to meet its targets.

“I have ordered ministries to cut expenditure to compensate for the effects of the court decision,” Prime Minister Pedro Passos Coelho said on the weekend.

Portugal is now in an extremely tough spot given the demands of its lenders, and in the face of Germany’s tough stance on fiscal discipline.

“The court decision means that Portugal’s government needs to come up with approximately €1.3-billion in additional cost savings or revenues in order to achieve a budget deficit of 5.5 per cent this year; if the savings aren’t found, the deficit will be 6.4 per cent,” said Derek Holt and Dov Zigler of Bank of Nova Scotia.

“On the line are Portuguese efforts to renegotiate the country’s obligations to the EU such that the payback periods are lengthened,” they said in a research note.

“With EU finance ministers meeting in Ireland later this week, the situation in Portugal – and whether it has reached the legal limits of feasible domestic austerity – are sure to be up for conversation.”

• Portugal must stick to agreed budget targets to get loan extension - EU exec

Loonie in high demand
A new poll illustrates just how attractive the Canadian dollar has become.

The poll of central bankers, published in The Financial Times, shows that the Canadian and Australian dollars, Scandinavian money and China’s yuan have become the favourite alternative to the traditional reserves.

Some four-fifths of those polled said they either had invested, or would think about doing so, in the Canadian and Aussie currencies.

The poll was done by Central Banking Publications, a trade journal, and Royal Bank of Scotland.

MORE RELATED TO THIS STORY

• Ottawa to probe RBC job outsourcing
• Foreign workers hired over qualified Canadians on B.C. coal project: court filing
• Facebook backlash against RBC
  
  

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TWO BUSINESS PARTNERS HACKED TO DEATH IN ERAVUR

April 8, 2013 

The bodies of two business partners that were hacked to death were found by the police in a house in the Chenkalady area in Eravur, Batticaloa, police stated.

Police reported that the murder had taken place last night (April 7) in a house on the Chenkalady -Badulla road.

The two victims were 48 year old Sivaguru Raghu and 41 year old Indramurthi Vithra.

The Eravur police are conducting further inquiries.

Couple stabbed to death in Chenkalladi Batticaloa

[ Monday, 08 April 2013, 07:14.39 AM GMT +05:30 ]

Couple was stabbed to death at Chenkalladi area in Batticaloa last night, Eravur police said. Group of unidentified persons have visited the house of the Chenkalladi Vibra Fancy Corner shop owner at 12.30 am in the wee hours and killed the Sivaguru Ragu and his wife Ragu Vibra. Eravur police conduct further investigations on this alleged murder.