Wednesday, September 20, 2017

Is Sri Lanka ready for the 2025 growth agenda?

Tuesday, 19 September 2017

Vision 2025 requires strong implementation, which is the issue in Sri Lanka

The other day the President and Prime Minister launched the 2025 vision for Sri Lanka which was incidentally the third policy statement of the Government since coming to power in 2015. My view is that the continuous changes to policy is important and I look at the vision 2025 in a positive manner given that the macroeconomy keeps changing so drastically today.

Moody’s – negative rating

The most recent development from the global market was the rating agency Moody’s downgrading the country’s banking sector from ‘Stable’ to ‘Negative’ due to the increasing exposure on the property sector. Analysts speculate that the NPL will increase from the current 2.57% to around 5% in the backdrop of the imports of construction items that was growing at 8% as at end April 2017 declining to 3.6% with May recording a performance of 0.3% and June at -6.5% which does not augur well for the number one driver of the economy.

The second indicator that is worrying in the slipping numbers of the blue-eyed sector – tourism. The growth as at now is at just 3.6% and the key market China being on a downward growth agenda is not very healthy. The silver lining for the Sri Lankan economy is the export growth of 5.2% in the first half of the year and for the fourth month in succession is demonstrating a positive growth. The performance of the textile and garment sector is not healthy at a -5.2% performance even with the GSP+ concession coming to play which might get corrected with the seasonal orders hitting the export numbers say the specialists.

Vision 2025

The policy statement vision 2025 is based on the theme of Sri Lankan being a rich country by 2025. The strategy being, Sri Lanka to be a hub in the Indian Ocean with a knowledge-based highly-competitive social-market economy. The statement also states that an environment which is positive will lead to higher income and better standard of living. The key actions of ‘empowered Sri Lanka’ also include housing for all and improved quality of life for citizens which are interesting thoughts given that as at now the economy has been moving in the reverse direction.

A key point highlighted was the export-oriented approach to economic growth which included connecting the domestic economy to the global supply chain network (GNPs – Global Production Network). Stamping out of corruption as a value system encouraging competition on the proposition of transparency on an inclusive economy is for sure a strategy on the correct path. But sadly once again we see that the current performance is on the absolute reverse agenda which means unless a drastic new approach to governance comes to play the vision 2025 will be a nonstarter just like the last two policy statements made since 2015.

2017 trajectory – worrying

If we take a ‘as is situational analysis’ as at 2017, we see the quality of life of a Sri Lankan household dropping for the first time in three years. Overall consumption of the FMCG industry at a household level has declined by -3.1% in Q1 to -2.5% in Q2, 2017 as per the latest report by Nielsen. What this means is that either people are moving out of the category or they are reducing the usage of product. This is the base that the Government will have to reverse if we want to improve average Sri Lankans’ quality of life.

On the tourism sector, we see the industry at the crossroads with just 1.21 million visitors in the first seven months of the year (Jan-July) as against the 1.17 million performance last year, registering a marginal growth of 3.6% bringing in a revenue of 2.08 billion dollars into the country. Whilst the above tourism performance can be seen as positive, the fact remains that for the seven months, almost four months have recorded a declining number as against last year. February -0.1%, March-2.5%, May-2.5% and July-1.8%.

The much-talked-about global marketing campaign has yet not taken off ground and we recently heard that the digital communication campaign will break ground only in 2018. The industry voices that this is not what the country expected from a progressive government. In my view it a systemic issue rather than one that is personality driven given the current tender procedure being the biggest blocker to drive aggressive strategy.

If we take the key foreign exchange earner for Sri Lanka, worker remittances, the performance in the first five months is at $ 3.3 billion, registering a decline of 7.2% which once again indicates the changing quality of life on the beneficiary households. This also indicates the challenges of making Sri Lanka a rich country as per the 2025 vision and the implications to increasing the quality of life. This is the reason why top economists say that it is best to drive the internal economic growth agenda rather than expect too much from the troubled global economy.

On the proposition of Sri Lanka being an export-oriented hub we see the current export revenue is at $ 5.3 billion (Jan-June) at a growth of 5.2% vs. last year. However what is worrying is that export revenues from the apparel industry are registering a decline of 5.2% at a performance of $2.3 billion dollars which means that the GSP+ benefits have yet not kicked into the system. The revised Government target of 18 billion dollars performance by 2020 is highly unlikely given the current trajectory. Vision 2025 states a 20 billion export number which in my view is unattainable as we are looking at an annual growth of 15% to achieve this number which is a require serious policy changes on the supply chain side.

Let’s accept it, Sri Lanka’s export challenge is not demand driven. The issue is the constrained supply. The export performance of the FTA with India remains at a low ebb of just 600 odd million whilst the overall balance of trade being skewed to India does not give any positive vibes of how Sri Lanka can be a hub for South Asia.

The hub issue – ETCA with India?

Whilst the above realities needs focused attention to see the 2025 vision of Sri Lanka being an economic hub, the ETCA partnership will be pivotal. However the problem with ECTA is more on a qualitative issue than the logic of comparative advantage.

Since I have worked very closely with Indian companies in my 17-year multinational career, if one draws a parallel on corporate lifestyle, the aggressive behaviour of an Indian – be it driving a car to office or at a typical routine at work – is very different to a corporate executive of Sri Lanka. The typical working time of an Indian ranges between 12-15 hours, where limited time is spent with family or at the gym and the overall objective being ‘getting ahead’.

On the other hand, if we take a typical Sri Lankan corporate lifestyle, we have an approach of being somewhat cautious, laidback, content and wanting to be at the gym by six the latest for that daily exercise routine or being with one’s family, which are typical island mentality work ethics that do not hold ground for a charged-up economy as per the management theorist list Hofstede. We will have to move to an aggressive corporate lifestyle which is more masculine in nature as per the works of Hofstede if we are to make the 2025 vision a reality.

Whilst agreeing to a certain extent with the rhetoric that working with Indians is tough and that the Indian mentality never fits into a Sri Lankan culture has some truth, it needs to be taken into account if Sri Lanka is serious about being an economic hub of South Asia. This is especially true given that the unemployment rate is below 5% and we will have no option but to import human capital from countries like India to meet the 18 billion dollar export target, 7.5 billion dollar tourism target and five billion dollar IT/BPO target set by the respective industries.

Risk/corruption balance?

From a policy perspective too, we have a challenge given that public sector institutions prefer to follow Government procedure rather than take risks. This will hold ground more, given the recent three-year RI sentence on the highest-ranking public sector official who just followed orders.

This means that unless serious policy reforms come into play as per the dynamic market environment, we cannot expect the key policy decisions to be implemented that can lead to ensuring the vision 2025 becoming a reality.

On a corporate executive working style, Sri Lanka will have to bring in a culture that is strong and masculine on leadership style based on the ethos of aggressiveness, risk taking, bold and achievement-driven rather than just pleasing the people around. This will require radical changes to the working style of the private sector which is a tough one for the vision 2025 to be a reality.

Vision 2025?

Hence, we see that Sri Lanka will have perform a 360-degree change on most fronts if we are to achieve the vision 2025 rich country proposition. If one does a dip stick evaluation the vision 2025 as at now is only a piece of paper.

A very respected public sector person once said even if Sri Lanka implements the 1960 plans, we can be a rich country !

(The author can be contacted on rohantha.athukorala1@gmail.com. The thoughts are strictly his personal views and not the views of the organisation he serves.)

NUTA Clowning Over Rohingya Mass Tragedy

By Shyamon Jayasinghe –SEPTEMBER 16, 2017

Shyamon Jayasinghe

“Did the Sri Lanka government ever chase away the entire Tamil population because of terrorist pockets within them? This is like giving chemotherapy”

A Sri Lanka organisation called, “National University Teachers Association, (NUTA)” under the hand of its spokesperson, Dr Channa Jayasumana, has circulated via internet a letter they are said to have handed over to Myanmar Ambassador in Colombo. The letter is addressed to “His Excellency the President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar.” As an exercise in self-deception, readers should read the letter and I will bring up the poverty of the NUTA brief for all to see.

I am amused myself that I have had to critique an association of University Teachers. However, an overriding sense of humanity compels me to invade the precincts of academia.

My comments will follow the letter, which I reproduce as follows:

“13th September 2017 at Colombo

Mr. Htin Kyaw

His Excellency the President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar.

Your Excellency,

National University Teachers Association (NUTA) Sri Lanka condemns international campaign against Myanmar Buddhists

Sri Lanka and Myanmar has been maintaining a close cultural, political and economic relationship over a millennium. Both are two of the last remaining Theravada Buddhist countries.

We are closely monitoring the situation in Rakhine State, Myanmar over the last couple of weeks. We understood that pro-western media are intentionally distributing fabricated news and incorrectly captioning pictures to purposely dis-inform the international community about Myanmar Buddhists. We are concerned that the majority Buddhist Myanmar is getting an unfair and biased media coverage.

Further we have noticed fake news posted on social media of events purporting to have occurred in Myanmar but actually happening in other places, which are now circulating via the internet. These intentionally fabricated news and photos are being used by international media, international human rights organizations, certain governments and anti Buddhist groups in an attempt to cause misunderstanding about Myanmar Buddhists.

Current situation in Rakhine is very much similar to the situation in late 1970s and early 1980s in northern part of the Sri Lanka where LTTE terrorists started their activities with the blessing of India, western governments and NGOs. Interestingly British are accountable for the unfolding tragedy in both countries through their divide and rule policies.

As a responsible Association representing university academics in Sri Lanka, the National University Teachers’ Association unequivocally condemns attempt to ostracize the Myanmar government and Myanmar Buddhists. We stand in solidarity with the people of Myanmar in support of protecting Theravada Buddhism, sovereignty, territorial integrity and cultural identity of Myanmar.

May triple gem bless you,

On behalf of National University Teachers’ Association, Sri Lanka

Dr Channa Jayasumana

General Secretary”

President urges international Community to consider Sri Lanka's progress in reconciliation, Human Rights

Wed, Sep 20, 2017, 07:43 am SL Time, ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka.

Sept 20, New York: Sri Lanka's President Maithripala Sirisena called upon the international community to seriously consider the tremendous progress made by the government towards reconciliation, restoration of democratic freedoms, human rights and the rule of law.

Addressing the 72nd session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Tuesday, September 19th, the President asked the international community to extend the fullest support to the slow, but the steady forward march of Sri Lanka to build a "progressive, democratic, free and equal society with high morals and discipline."

"We all are aware that haste will not yield good results and the slow and steady path is the most suitable one to restore religious and communal harmony so that people of all communities could live in peace and harmony as equal citizens," the President pointed out.

He said that during the last two and a half years, the government has taken several important steps that are necessary for consolidating democracy, freedom, good governance, and the rule of law. "Through such transformative steps, we have laid the foundation necessary to forge national reconciliation, and ensure non-recurrence of conflict in our country," he said.

"As a country that has suffered violent conflict for 30 years, we are drawing from experience and lessons learned to strengthen national reconciliation, and we are determined to prevent the recurrence of conflict. We have given priority in this context to consolidate freedom and democracy in our country, and through a strong foundation of national reconciliation forged through unity and friendship among communities," the President said.

President Sirisena stressed that the vision of the government is to ensure sustained economic development through the increase of domestic agriculture and industry under an environment friendly policies and programs. He emphasized the imperative need to adhere to the Paris Protocol on Climate Change for the sake of the future of the human beings as well as flora and fauna.

Pointing out that poverty has presented a serious challenge throughout the world, he said that year 2017 has been declared as the year of freedom from poverty in Sri Lanka and have prioritized economic development. "We have initiated a 'Grama Shakthi' program to empower villages and to give prominence to putting in place the necessary requirements for addressing all the problems faced by the people of the country," he said.

President Sirisena called on the world leaders to take a collective action for eradication of narcotic drugs. He said he wanted to draw the attention of the respected General Assembly of the United Nations to the problem of drugs that poses a serious threat to human society itself, preying on young children and causing much destruction to communities. Such a program must include plans and efforts to combat this menace at national level in all countries, and at international level, he said.
The President explained the successful efforts made by the government with regard to lessen the foreign debt burden and usher in economic revival and sought the support of the world community to the efforts made by Sri Lanka for economic development.

Pointing out that Sri Lanka as a member of the UN for the last 62 years adhered to the UN conventions, policies and principles, he said that the nation requires the patient, understanding and support for its slow, but steady march to create a peaceful and prosperous country for its people.
Address by President Maithripala Sirsena at the 72nd Session of the United Nations General Assembly - Video

Welikada Prison Massacre: The long wait for justice

Committee Report finds evidence of foul play and attempts to cover up

2017-09-20

With the residence of the sister of Sudesh Nandimal De Silva, a former inmate of Welikada Prison and a key eyewitness of the 2012 prison massacre which left 27 inmates dead, coming under attack while he was held there, eye brows are being raised as to why no concrete action has been taken yet, despite a lapse of five years, to reveal what actually transpired on those fateful days of November 09 and 10 of 2012 and bring perpetrators, were they in uniform, civvies or jumpsuit before the law.

The intimidation of eye witnesses continue unchecked despite the Assistance to and Protection of Victims of Crimes and Witnesses Act, recently enacted, being in force and a government claiming to be transparency and rule of law oriented in power.

Very few might have had any confidence in the commissions appointed by the previous regime to inquire into the matter. Yet the three member committee appointed by the Yahapalanaya Government, headed by retired High Court Justice Nambuwasamge, had handed over the report to the Prime Minister in June 2015.

Although some of the recommendations have been made public it is believed that some highly sensitive conclusions in the report remains unexposed and the file has been lying idle in the desk of the Former Justice Minister. There were allegations that Ministry Officials were deliberately obstructing the contents being revealed and further action being taken in terms of instituting criminal action against perpetrators as clearly recommended by the Report.

The dark legacy

Welikada Prison has a bloody, sinister and a murderous history as far as lives of inmates are concerned. During the 1983 Black July, 53 Tamil political detainees at the prison were murdered in cold blood, despite the presence of military units close at hand and no subsequent credible fact finding has taken place.

In general, the committee report expresses concern over the manner how investigations are done with regard to deaths of inmates during the best of times; in extreme situations such as these, the fate of the prisoners and the value attributed to their lives is anybody’s guess.

The official claim that the 2012 November riot deaths were due to the armed resistance by inmates, when security personnel attempted to search the premises holds little water in face of testimonies given by inmates, prison guards and impartial individuals.

Civil rights groups, as well as relatives of inmates killed, are accusing the authorities of carrying out summary executions of prisoners after subduing them. Everything smacks of premeditated, targeted and extra judicial killing of these inmates. Eye witnesses have stated that a process of singling and targeting out and shooting of individuals according to a list, which supposedly was from a very powerful official, took place with security personnel and guards involved; that they could be identified.

True, that prisons have a culture of illegal activities with the existence of contraband -such as drugs, weapons and phones -smuggled in to the wards sometimes abetted by jailers and this should be prevented.

Yet there are procedures to be followed in such operations given the highly inflammable nature of the same. With a legacy of gross violations of prisoner and detainee rights, extra judicial punishments including executions, inhuman conditions of custody and lack of respect to those termed prisoners and inmates and in keeping with the atmosphere of impunity and unbridled executive power, authorities seemed to have taken for granted the fate of these unfortunate men.

There seems to be more sinister objectives in the whole operation than getting rid of some prisoners who could be threats or liabilities to the powers; the allegation that dozens of prisoners have been abducted for the purpose of using them for more illegal and evil acts is also not without substance.
The disappearance of the registers kept at the prison, it is alleged, have been done by the highest authority.

This throws out accountability on the part of the authorities with regard to the inmates and the plight that befell them. In short, the whole episode stinks with the almost certain possibility of an evil plot of high handed and blood thirsty power wielding.

Disturbing conclusions

The Nambuwasamge Committee Report recommends criminal proceedings being initiated against perpetrators, compensation awarded to relatives of the deceased and general recommendations with regard to prison conditions etc.

Yet, it has taken more than two years for the IGP to order a fresh probe in to the incident; that also upon a Writ Application filed by a former inmate.

The CIPI reveals some disturbing and shocking aspects of the whole episode. It clearly acknowledges wrong doing on the part of the authorities including the military, prison guards and the Police; it notes that serious Human Rights violations have taken place in firing tear gas in to closed wards of the prisoners which amount to torture; that public servants have wilfully disobeyed the legal procedures in place for dealing with prisoners; that all limits have been transcended in terms of what is meant by minimum force by the Police in countering the inmates etc.

It notes that overwhelming evidence has surfaced before it that foul play of the most criminal nature has taken place and a cover up is being attempted.

More disturbingly the committee report expresses concern over the fear psychosis that surrounds the witnesses including lower officers of the prison, who have expressed their apprehensions of reprisals. The recent attack on an inmate’s house puts beyond any doubt that there are elements who do not want the truth to come out on this heinous crime.

It is also clear that the CID has failed to get hold of all the weapons issued to military and Police personnel to ascertain forensic and ballistic tests to determine the amount of ammunition used in the incident, a failure which is simply unimaginable.

Interestingly the commission, headed by former High Court Judge Gamini Nambuwasam recommends that excessive and unreasonable sentences handed down to inmates by law courts, after the incident, be reviewed as they seem disproportionate to the offences and does not seem to take cognizance of the extreme ground reality that existed at the time of their commission. This is a scathing remark on the credibility of the entire Criminal Justice System and gives rise to grave concerns about the Rule of Law being implemented.

Here and now

A lot has taken place under the guise of national security in this country with members of the security apparatus acting with impunity; an unbridled manifestation of the power of the executive has deterred even the judiciary acting in vindication of citizen rights as this case suggests.

Worse still, sentences passed on the inmates after the riot, on flimsy evidence cuts a bleak picture of the judicial process, too, being compromised.

Any fresh probe, if it ever come to pass will have to take account of all these wrongs and make them right.

At a time charges of war crimes and grave Human Rights violations being levelled at security personnel, incidents such as these, not investigated and adjudicated, gives credence to the grievance that justice is not done to the victims of acts done by members the security apparatus, suggesting a culture of impunity. As much as one wants to deny such charges, the inferences drawn from what is known, in places known and to people known, leads in one direction with regard to the unknown. The law abiding citizen credulously waits for the criminal justice system to kick in and mete out justice and remove those suspicions, now looming darker and more sinister by the day.

ENFORCED DISAPPEARANCE BILL: G.L PEIRIS VS G.L.PEIRIS

19/09/2017

Gehan Gunathilaka, the Research Director of the Colombo-based think tank, Verité Research, in a tweet has pinpointed the hypocrisy of former Minister of Justice Prof G.L. Peiris with regard to the on going debate on International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance Bill.

Prof Peiris, now a staunch supporter of Sinhala nationalist Rajapaksa has been campaigning against the bill arguing that it will provide ICC to try Sri Lanka citizens charged over disappearances.
This is what he says in the above interview with Daily Mirror:

As a fact that quotation given by Peiris is right:
Here is what the section 8 of the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance Bill says:
“Where a request is made to the Government of Sri Lanka, by or on behalf of the Government of a Convention State for the extradition of any person accused or convicted of an offence under sections 3 or 4, the Minister shall, on behalf of the Government of Sri Lanka, forthwith notify the Government of the requesting State of the measures which the Government of Sri Lanka has taken, or proposes to take, for the prosecution or extradition of that person for that offence.”
But the issue is that the clause he quotes is almost identical to Section 7(2) of the Convention Against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment Act, No. 22 of 1994, as pointed out by Gehan Gunathilaka.
“Where a request is made to the Government of Sri Lanka, by or on behalf of the Government of any State for the extradition of any person accused or convicted of the offence of torture, the Minister in charge of the subject of Foreign Affairs shall, on behalf of the Government of Sri Lanka, forthwith inform the Government of the requesting State, of the measures which the Government of Sri Lanka has taken, or proposes to take, for the prosecution or extradition of that person, for that offence.”
This Convention Against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment Act was passed when Prof Peiris was the Minster of Justice in newly established Chandrika Kumaratunga government.
So which Prof Peiris is right? now or then?

Mahendran cannot be compelled to give evidence as he is Singaporean - Counsel-Assurance of 'good conduct' sought from AG’s team

By Sarath Dharmasena and Shyam Nuwan Ganewatta

-September 19, 2017, 12:00 pm

Former Central Bank Governor Arjun Mahendran's Counsel Romesh De Silva, PC, yesterday told the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (CoI), probing the alleged bond scams that his client couldn't be compelled to give evidence before CoI as he (Mahendran) was a Singaporean.

President Maithripala Sirisena appointed Mahendran Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) on Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe's recommendation in January 2015. Mahendran was replaced soon after the second bond scam involving the Perpetual Treasuries Limited (PTL) came to light in March 2016.

Counsel De Silva said that Mahendran would give evidence before the CoI to prove his innocence though the CoI had informed PTL owner Arjun Aloysius that he (Aloysius) could remain silent.

Mahendran yesterday gave evidence before the CoI on the instructions of his counsel.

Before Mahendran got into the witness box, PC De Silva said that the CoI couldn't pressure his Singaporean client.

PC De Silva said that though Mahendran could have emulated his son-in-law Arjun Aloysius and refrained from giving evidence, he had instructed the former Governor to testify.

PC De Silva said that, however, his client would give evidence on the condition that the lawyers representing the Attorney General's Department would ensure that, during questioning, they wouldn't behave in a manner derogatory of Mahendran.

CoI member justice Prasanna Jayawardena: We treat all witnesses well. It is our responsibility.

Counsel De Silva: We expect the same of lawyers representing the AG's Department.

Additional Solicitor General: Is he a saint?

Counsel De Silva: Witnesses should be treated properly. If you don't know that, learn.

Counsel De Silva said that the CoI couldn't pressure Mahendran to hand over documents or affidavits. Although the former CBSL Governor wasn't required by the law to hand over his communication equipment in addition to mobile phones, he had done so in deference to the CoI directive, the counsel added.

Justice Chitrasiri: Call Mahendran to give evidence now.

Counsel De Silva: Is he (Mahendran) the last witness?

Senior Additional Solicitor General Dappula De Livera said that Mahendran wasn't the last witness.

Counsel De Silva said that he had been informed that Mahendran was the last witnesses

Justice Jayawardena said that was wrong. Mahendran was one of the last witnesses.

Some thoughts on ‘Vision 2025: A Country Enriched’

Wednesday, 20 September 2017

Recently, our Government unveiled a forward plan titled: ‘V2025: A Country Enriched’. It spells out the Government’s economic vision for many relevant areas, including development plans for our human resource. The plan looks comprehensive on many fronts and the writer assumes that the Government possesses the right strategies and the right people, for a successful implementation of the same.

However, the writer wishes to express his thoughts and experience on two of the items mentioned in this vision document (see page 26).

1. “We will encourage the private sector to conduct skill development programmes to improve labour productivity. Government vocational training institutes will align their curricula with National Vocational Qualifications (NVQ). Skill development will begin to target older workers.”

No doubt, the skills development plans for the workforce is a must. Also, the skills requirement is changing fast in today’s context. So, a continuous development is required for all more than before. But, will the skills development alone answer all our workforce/productivity challenges?

The writer is of the opinion that the main productivity issue is; lack of motivation and the lukewarm attitude many people show towards the work. Not the lack of skills per se!

To be precise, most of the Sri Lankan workers (80%) are just interested only in one side of the equation, i.e. what they could receive from the employment – not about the contribution they are supposed to make in return. In Sri Lanka, at blue collar worker interviews, most of the interviewees just ask only two questions; (1) How much will you pay me? (2) How many holidays will I have? They hardly ever inquire about the work or how they could make a positive contribution or difference in the offered position (one of the salient differences compared with the developed world!). Many of our people do not recognise the fact that employment should also be a two-way process as are many other things in life.

Therefore, alongside the skills development plans spelt out, we must have a programme to change the said common lacklustre mind-set and motivate the workforce for better outcomes. Without this, skills can do only very little to enhance the country’s productivity! In other words, we must work on the hearts of the people to prepare them for productive work while we do the hard wiring in their minds for them to acquire new/more skills. The development plans of these soft elements, on the workers, should go hand-in-hand with their hard skills acquisitions.

2. “The Government will invite global Sri Lankans to actively contribute to the country’s growth process. More open human capital flows will allow Sri Lanka to benefit from faster skill transfers. The Government will revise immigration policies to facilitate obtaining services of first and latter generation migrant Sri Lankans.”

The writer has personal interest in this opportunity (having a family of five dual citizens). President Sirisena made a few speeches inviting the people, who left the country, back to Sri Lanka to rebuild the nation.

How would this idea work in practical terms for the benefit of the country? Most of the important national decision making positions seem to have already been taken over or allocated to the ‘inner-circle’ (friends and family members of politicians)! The only possibility for global Sri Lankans is trying to find a suitable job in Sri Lanka (but most of them might be over qualified?).

So, how can the global Sri Lankans contribute physically or intellectually? Does the country have a pragmatic plan to rope them in apart from the utterings made here and there? No doubt, there would be many capable global Sri Lankans who could help the Government to plan and carry out this task in a methodical way, if invited!

[The writer is the founder of the Skill Conference (www.skillconference.com). He is a borderless thinker and futurist. You can email him at ravindra@skillconference.com.]

Mastermind behind Sil cloth racket who escaped jail sentence vying for Vice Chancellor post ! Whither SL?

(Lanka-e-News - 19.Sep.2017, 11.45PM) The court decision on the colossal Sil cloth fraud committed by a

former secretary of an equally or more corrupt deposed and presently people discarded president of the country which created a sensation and considered as a most salutary verdict in the judicial history of Sri Lanka , was highly appreciated by one and all . It was a most erudite high court judge Gihan Kulatunge who delivered this verdict on this special case after a 30 days trial in which the secretary of an ex president was involved and the ex president himself was blamed and tainted.

Learned judge Kulatunge by delivering this verdict against a State official of the highest echelons for the first time in judicial history proved to the people of Sri Lanka and the world that there are still judges of his caliber with sterling qualities gracing SL’s judicial bench among the many who are shamelessly disgracing the bench. Indeed the Sri Lankans who were thirsting for justice and fair play from the judiciary which as of late were ebbing away ,were inspired and buoyed up by this bold decision .

The Attorney General (AG) filed action against Lalith Weeratunge the ex secretary to deposed president Mahinda Rajapakse, and the Director General of SLT Regulatory commission , Anusha Pelpita on charges of misappropriating Rs. 600 million of SLT funds and unlawfully spending on Sil cloth distribution to benefit Mahinda Rajapakse during the last presidential election . On 2015-01-05 , action was taken by these culprits to distribute 800 ,000 parcels of white cloth (Sil cloth) each containing 5 meters of cloth, through temples Island wide.

The masterminds behind this Sil cloth distribution were Basil Rajapakse , Dallas Alahaperuma , Lalith Weeratunge and Sampath Amaratunge the Vice chancellor of Sri Jayawardenapura University.

Based on a survey conducted by Sampath Amaratunge , about 800 000 observed Sil on Full Moon Poya Day in the temples Island wide. It is to be noted Sampath was appointed to the post of Vice Chancellor with the support of Mahinda Rajapakse the president then. At the voting , Sampath came third , while Professor Mohan De Silva who is the present president of the University Grants Commission topped the list . Sampath was appointed as Vice Chancellor as well as a member of the SLT Regulatory commission though those appointments were absolutely unlawful. Mahinda made these illegal appointments illegally , and the Sil cloth distribution was a reciprocal gesture for the illegal favors granted by Mahinda Rajapakse .

This project was presented to Basil Rajapakse . Basil who is a byword for corruption and a notorious fraud himself eagerly accepted the proposal and presented it to Mahinda Rajapakse the chieftain of the crooks (Alibaba) . It was their main aim to secure at least 800, 000 votes of the innocent Buddhist devotees in the villages by launching this project.

In each of these parcels a photograph of Mahinda Rajapakse and a note which read ‘This is a Dhamma gift based on the policies of Mahinda Rajapakse to create a righteous country and for its improvement’ were enclosed.

This concept was a brainchild of Sampath , and Basil , Dallas and Lalith played the key roles in this project. Auditor Gunaratne however told Lalith Weeratunge in writing that no funds of the president’s office are available for this project. It was Sampath Amaratunge who had reminded funds of SLT regulatory commission are available.

Weeratunge being the president of the Commission had informed Pelpita to transfer Rs. 600 million to his account , and that sum was transferred to his account on 2014-12-05. There was about Rs. 100 million set aside for SLT’s community development but that had been exhausted. Based on the evidence adduced the sum of Rs. 600 million was transferred to Weeratunge’s account without the approval of the board of Directors of the TRC .

It is most intriguing though Sampath Aamaratunge was a member of the TRC board and a mastermind in this racket he had not been summoned as a witness by the defendants.

It is significant to note the Elections Commissioner had issued a circular on 2014-11-22 that after the presidential elections has been announced , no resources of the State can be used for promoting a candidate . Yet Lalith Weeratunge despite being the secretary to the president the highest in the hierarchy of the country , and being fully aware of the directive had indulged in this Sil cloth racket , the judgment delivered by the learned judge specially highlighted .

While Lalith and Pelpita are behind bars for their illicit contributions to make their political ‘boss’ and mentor Mahinda Rajapakse to win elections, rumors are circulating that the mastermind and the brainchild of this Sil cloth concept Sampath Amaratunge who should also be behind bars though he escaped by a hair’s breadth , is staking his claims for the post of Vice Chancellor for the second time.

Shouldn’t the leaders of the good governance focus on this grave issue which can be most detrimental to the country , of appointing such a crook to the post of Vice Chancellor of the highest seat of learning in the country ?

By a special reporter

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by (2017-09-20 03:27:17)

The Hypocrisy Of Aung San Suu Kyi

By Pitasanna Shanmugathas -SEPTEMBER 20, 2017

Pitasanna Shanmugathas

Aung San Suu Kyi, in 1997, once famously said—“please use your liberty to promote ours.” After having spent 15 years under house arrest, she later became the de-facto leader of Myanmar. She became the de-facto leader after having led the National League for Democracy (NLD) to a majority win in Myanmar’s “first openly contested election in 25 years in November 2015. The win came five years to the day since she was released from 15 years of house arrest.” However, as the de-facto leader, she is now using her new found liberty to stifle the freedom of the Rohingya people and has become complicit in what the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has labeled as a “textbook example of ethnic cleansing.”

Suu Kyi has become a hypocrite. She spent years peacefully fighting for her own freedom but now has stood by and supported the rape, displacement, and the ethnic cleansing of thousands of Rohingya people. Suu Kyi, despite encouraging many to rally for her release when she was under house arrest, has told the international community to stop clamoring about the atrocities against the Rohingya people. The fact that members of the international community are raising awareness of the atrocities is apparently, according to Aung San Suu Kyi, “makings things worse.”

On July 6th 1995, in Sri Lankan Parliament, Dr. Neelan Tiruchelvam supported a Private Members Motion calling for the release of Aung San Suu Kyi, who at the time had been serving her seventh year of detention without trial. The following are excerpts of the speech Dr. Tiruchelvam made in Parliament:

“In view of the strong historical and religious links between our respective countries, which have extended from the eleventh and twelfth centuries, Sri Lanka and this House have special reasons to express concern with regard to developments in Myanmar. The Polonnaruwa Kings, Parakramabahu I and Vijayabahu I forged close political links with Burma, then known as Ramanna. These links were further consolidated by the close affinity between the Theravada Buddhist traditions in Burma and Ceylon. Vijayabahu I turned for assistance to Burma in reorganizing the Sangha in Ceylon.

These religious and cultural links have endured through the centuries and, most particularly, during Burma’s struggle for independence under the leadership of Aung San. This motion symbolizes continuing respect and affection of the people of Sri Lanka for the indomitable spirit and courage of the people of Burma, who have overcome many setbacks in their long and troubled history… In the struggle for human values, even the smallest initiative can create ripples that become waves that reach beyond the shores of our island.

The recent troubled chapter in Myanmar’s history commenced with the assumption of power by the Burmese army on September 18th 1988. General Saw Waung, the chief of staff of the armed forces, announced that the military had assumed power and abolished all civilian government institutions. The military established a 19-member military ruling body, the State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC). On the SLORC’s orders the armed forces forcibly crushed the pro-democracy demonstrations that had engulfed Burma in the previous months. In the days that followed, hundreds and perhaps thousands of people were shot and killed in the streets of Rangoon and elsewhere. Public demonstrations were banned, and there were mass arrests of students, political activists, opposition party members and Buddhist monks.

A second crackdown in July 1989 resulted in the detention of opposition leaders, including the leader of the National League for Democracy (NLD), Aung San Suu Kyi. Despite the continuing political repercussion, the national election held on May 27th 1990 was a stunning victory for the political opposition to the SLROC’s rule. The NLD took 392 out of the 485 contested seats in the National Assembly versus only ten of the military backed National United Party. The results of this election are yet to be honored, and there has been no transfer of power to civilian rule”

Four days after Dr.Tiruchelvam gave his speech in Sri Lankan Parliament; Aung San Suu Kyi would be released from house arrest on July 10th 1995 only to be placed under house arrest again in 2000.