28 March, 2024

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Alternatives To The IMF & The Future Of The Welfare State: Beyond The Blame Game Between Superpowers

By Darini Rajasingham-Senanayake

Dr. Darini Rajasingham-Senanayake

The economic proxy war between the rising and fading Superpowers is escalating and expanding in the “Asian 21st Century.’ This was apparent in an (un)diplomatic exchange between Chinese and United States officials over the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) debt restructuring delays in Sri Lanka which was the venue of the recent CARAT/ MAREX war games. These happened in the run up to the country’s February 4 commemoration of 75 years of ‘Lost Independence, Democracy and economic sovereignty’ as a commentator put it. 

Before the MA-REX (King of the Ocean?) war games that saw the arrival of USS Anchorage of the Seventh Fleet with Poseidon (P-2), advanced ocean surveillance and attack aircraft, as well as, the Marines Jazz band serenading the natives of Paradise Lost, India’s Foreign Minister, Dr. Jaishankar paid a flying visit to the island which sits front and center of some of the busiest energy, trade and Submarine or Undersea Data Cable Routes in the world. India, the regional hegemon and good neighbor, had bailed out Sri Lanka to the tune of $4 billion ex-post its first ever sovereign Default in April last year.

The strategic island is a test case for 54 other Global South countries caught in post-Covid 19, Eurobond debt traps given an international development and financial architecture that no longer seems fit for purpose. 

The end game of the current IMF Debt restructuring operation appears to be quite illogically enabling a country that had accumulated Odious Debt to the point of Default, to return to borrowing again from the same private capital markets that were the main source of its economic crisis. These bond traders charge predatory interest rates. Thus, it is increasingly apparent that long-term solutions and alternatives to the Washington Twins and the Colonial Club de Paris ‘Bailout Business” are needed for Sri Lanka to extricate herself from the clutches of Eurobond money lenders.

Civil society groups meanwhile have been discussing options including constitutional amendments to ban official borrowing from private capital markets by corrupt politicians and their Central Bank appointees who conveniently pass odious ISB debt to impoverished citizens– regardless of the outcome of IMF negotiations. 

Simultaneously, there have been efforts to muddy the waters and miss-diagnose the causes of the crisis by various IMF experts who routinely call for structural adjustments, reforms, trade liberalization and privatization of public assets. They attribute the country’s first ever Sovereign Debt Default in April last year to its once envied Welfare State and a culture of government ‘hand-outs.’

Envy of the Developing World: Ceylon’s Welfare State

Dr. Amartya Sen, renowned economist and Nobel Laureate often cited Ceylon as a model of and for Third World development during the sixties and seventies. He showed that Sri Lanka (like India’s Kerala State), was a ‘outlier’ in World development as the island had excellent social and human development indicators, on par with many advanced industrial countries, despite low per capita GDP and growth. The country had high literacy rates, excellent healthcare, and later near gender parity in education for many decades of independence. It was hence too that the Prime Minister of Singapore, Lee Kwan Yew, had said that Singapore sought to emulate Sri Lanka at the time.

Dr. Sen throughout his long and distinguished career consistently challenged neo-liberal Growth Fetishism and advocated a ‘nuanced capabilities approach’ in development since there are no one size fits all solutions.  Sri Lanka’s developmental Welfare State with a mixed-economy held the country in relatively good stead during 30 long years of often debilitating externally networked, Cold War linked, internal armed conflict. This enabled a quick bounce back once war with the Liberation Tigers (LTTE), ended in 2009. 

Thus in 2019 the World Bank listed the strategic island as South Asia’s only Upper Middle Income Country (MIC), with the best human and social indicators in the region. However, that same MIC listing by the Washington Twin disabled the country’s access to concessionary borrowing that was needed after the mysterious Islamic State (IS) claimed Easter Sunday attacks on its tourism-dependent economy.

Being listed by the World Bank as an MIC forced the country to borrow at predatory interest rates from private market bond traders (ISB), which begs the question: was the strategic island pumped and dumped into a US dollar debt trap enabling Washington to make inroads, and if so, why now?

After all, Sri Lanka is a lush and fertile country with a geostrategic resource boon, though some call it a geostrategic resource curse. It is wealthy by most metrics-given mother nature’s largess, resources on land in the seas, or in terms of human and social capital, but now suffers from a US dollar debt trap. 

As such, it is clear that the island’s first ever Sovereign Default was directly related to factors and events in recent global and local economic history, primarily: 

1) increased private market borrowing from predatory hedge funds since 2015 by succeeding governments, and, 2) a series of exogenous economic Shocks that were administered in the past four years. These exogenous economic shocks include mysterious ISIS claimed terror attacks in 2019 that devastated the tourist-dependent economy, followed by two years of unnecessary, economically devastating Covid-19 Lockdowns that saw 40 percent of the national budget spent on purchase of ‘Vaccines’, endless PCR tests, and other health technology, followed by the Staged Default in April 2022 and an air-sea oil and gas blockade in June-July 2022 during the US marines ‘Sea Vision’ operation that brought the economy to a standstill. All these exogenous ‘events’ devastated the economy in the past 4 years sending the country into a Eurobond debt trap.

However, various economic experts and IMF ‘advisors’ have attempted to muddy the waters and causes for the current economic crisis and project way back into the past to blame the Welfare State and the island’s mixed economic development model for the current Debt Default. They claim that a purported lack of neoliberal ‘economic reforms’, trade liberalization and structural adjustments caused the default while referencing a no doubt increasingly bloated and corrupt state bureaucracy. 

But to suggest that the solution to the problem of a bloated and corrupt state bureaucracy in some sectors is to de-structure and privatize the Welfare State, related infrastructure and services, which for decades made Ceylon / Sri Lanka the envy of the developing world is to throw the baby out with the bathwater! However, this is precisely what the opposition Samagi Janabalaya (SJB) economic dream team, that include, Dr. Harsha de Silva, Kabir Hashim and Eran WIckramaratne, who knew of and arguably benefited from the 2015 Central Bank Bondscams propose, quoting IMF advisors, Dr. Sharmini Cooray and Shanta Devaraja. 

Economic reforms’, trade liberalization and structural adjustments have become code words for IMF austerity measures that shrink the economy of countries in debt traps, forcing privatization of the Welfare State and related services. The proposed IMF Firesale of State owned enterprises and related services including transport, energy, telecom infrastructure and the Ceylon Electricity Board to assuage ISBs, while using the Green Energy climate catastrophe narrative would certainly jeopardize national energy security among other things. 

These same advisors repeat the mantra about the private sector being the ‘engine of growth’ and captains of industry, although it has been quite lacking in innovation and leveraging the island’s valuable minerals (including Graphite, Zircon, Titanium, Thorium, Phosphates), and marine, particularly, fisheries resources in the past five decades to diversify exports and markets through transfer of technology and value addition. In fact, the private sector has been a significant part of the problem of the USD debt trap problem due to illicit outflow of capital through transfer pricing and trade mis-invoicing, and there is no guarantee that privatization would reduce corruption! 

In fact, the dichotomy between State and private sector–led growth is in the final analysis a red herring as both may be enablers or disablers of industrialization and leveraging of valuable living and non-living resources. Both state and private sector corruption were at the root of Sri Lanka’s Debt Default. In China the State leads, in the West Corporations lead development and innovation.

Role of the IMF and Development Models

The recent exchange between Chinese and United States officials over the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF), debt restructuring operations revealed the geopolitical standoff behind Sri Lanka’s first ever sovereign debt Default that was triggered by Eurobond lenders. High ranking US officials called out China for Sri Lanka’s economic woes in the run up to the February 4th tamasha to commemorate 75 years of ‘Lost Independence.’

Victoria Nuland, Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, who was in Colombo on February 1 blamed China for the IMF’s Sri Lanka debt restructuring delay claiming, “What China has offered so far is not enough ….. We need to see credible and specific assurances that China will meet the IMF standard of debt relief”. In response, the Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson, Ms. Nao Ning was equally blunt: “rather than point fingers at China’s close cooperation with Sri Lanka, the US might as well show some sincerity and actually do something to help Sri Lanka weather through the current difficulties” she said. 

Nuland’s comment did not conceal the fact that the IMF is essentially Washington’s proxy in its on-going Economic War on China and the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), for global connectivity. China, meanwhile has signaled that it will not bend to the increasingly obsolete Bretton Woods twins’ rules and debt restructuring standards in the “Asian 21st Century”. Rather China affirmed that it would pursue bi-lateral engagement on debt restructuring with Sri Lanka while providing immediate relief with a moratorium on payments for two years. The Chinese authorities had separately sent a letter of support to the IMF.

The China-US stand-off distracted from big questions about Sri Lanka’s debt Data, which has become a numbers game, regarding the quantum of external and internal, dollar and non-dollar denominated debt to be restructured. Although debt restructuring in a small county like Sri Lanka, should be a fairly straight forward calculation, it has been turned into veritable ‘rocket science’ with a black hole of infinite regress.

The IMF’s ISB ‘Bailout Business’ is unduly complex, technical, and jargon filled, conceals more than it reveals; masks the opaque and un-transparent nature of private market International bond transactions (ISB), and vested interests in the OECD’s informal colonial Club de Paris and Washington Consensus with their gravy train of legal and accounting firms like Lazard, Clifford and Chance and various ‘advisors’ on board. 

Amidst the geopolitical tensions, Debt Data gaming, and talk of ‘intercreditor compatibility treatment”, key information like the identities of the bond holders the quantum of funds held, how they were spent, as well as, the external causes and substantive solutions to Sri Lanka’s (and indeed the debt crisis affecting 54 other Global South countries), have been obscured. Parts of the IMF’s Debt Sustainability Analysis (DSA), that are available are also contested given clearly unrealistic assumptions and projections.

Statement of 182 Academics: It’s Geopolitics, Stupid!

Amid the propaganda and blame game between the US and China over the strategic Indian Ocean island’s first ever Sovereign Default last year, a statement signed by 182 international economists and academics provides some objectivity in support of citizens caught in debt traps Not of their making; ”Instead of geopolitical manoeuvring, all of Sri Lanka’s creditors must ensure debt cancellation sufficient to provide a way out of the current crisis”  they state.

The statement by a constellation of distinguished intellectuals from across the ideological spectrum, include Jawahalal Nehru University’s Jayati Ghosh, Harvard’s Dani Rodick, former Greek Finance Minister, Yanis Varoufakis, Thomas Picketty the author of Capital, and points out that private market or Eurobond traders who are represented by the Paris Club own almost 40 percent of the island’s total dollar debt stock. Interest payments to these amount to more than 50 percent since they lend at predatory rates in Global South countries claiming high risk. Since these bond trading hedge funds make high rewards, once the risk matures should not these predatory hedge funds take their losses in so-called “frontier markets” rather than expecting the lender of last resorts to bail them out?

While China which is Sri Lanka’s largest bi-lateral creditor, holds about 15 percent of Sri Lanka’s total debt, the country’s first ever default was triggered and staged due to Eurobond debt in April last year (2022). The Hamilton Reserve Bank, a shadowy off-shore banking outfit in St. Kitts and Nevis had filed a case against Sri Lanka in the New York courts. BlackRock which got huge US government Covid-19 Bailout funds to asset strip around the world (during unnecessary World Health Organization Covid-19 lockdowns in 2020-21), partners with India’s troubled Adani corporation, and is Sri Lanka’s biggest ISB debt holder.

Alternatives to the IMF and its Shock Treatment

In the context China appears to be hedging its bets, playing for time and working with the BRICS while seeking reform of the highly inequitable, un-transparent and conflict-of-interest-ridden International Financial Architecture. Alternatives to return to borrowing from capital markets include de-dollarization, currency swaps and trading in a basket of currencies, joining the new regional development finance architecture and borrowing from the New Development Bank (NDB), or the Asia Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), given an increasingly weaponized US dollar with high interest rates and US-EU sanctions on Russia, Iran, Venezuela etc. 

Sourcing oil and gas, which is Sri Lanka’s biggest import expense from Russia at discount rates like India and paying with Rupee-Ruble exchanges or bartering Sri Lanka’s Green Gold (tea) for Russia’s Black Gold (oil), would certainly help get the island beyond the US dollar Eurobond debt trap once the data on Sri Lanka’s export –import expenditure data is clarified. 

Simultaneously, diversifying export products and markets while leveraging Sri Lanka’s valuable rare earth minerals and extensive living and non-living marine resources though the transfer of technology and industrialization would enable growing the economy to escape the USD debt trap. Fisheries in the island’s rich and extensive maritime Exclusive Economic Zone is a low hanging fruit.

Finally, taxing Undersea Data Cable Companies that use Sri Lanka’s maritime Excusive Economic Zones, and their Big Data clients – Google, Apple, Facebook, Amazon, and Microsoft would be the icing on the cake of Sri Lanka’s great escape from Eurobond money lenders and their debt collectors!

In the final analysis the solution to the Eurobond debt trap is elementary dear Watson; simple and elegant to boot; definitely not rocket science!  But we need to get beyond mind numbing columns of gamed data, numbers games, and IMF jargon about ‘extended fund facilities’, ‘intercreditor agreements’, “lending into Arrears’ etc. and above all not panic about Famine, or Covid, or Climate disaster Narratives, but rather, keep our cool!. Familiarity with Naomi Klein’s excellent  “Shock Doctrine: The Rise of Disaster Capitalism’ is also useful.

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Latest comments

  • 5
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    Is it not too much and too big for us even to think about big powers while living
    on the breadcrumbs thrown away at us by those powers ? Don’t think the shoes
    are much bigger ? What do we really design and make so that we have a name
    for it ? For centuries now , we are known for Gems . We do sell cut and polished
    product but still , the reputed buyers take them to their labs and recut and polish !
    You know why ? Our guys compromise quality for weight ! Weight is what gives
    them money ! Another point here is , it is mined in rough form and semi hand
    crafted . The irony is , final product is a quality compromise . Such is our skills !
    And we talk about world powers ? S J , this one is for you : ” Nothing better to do” ?

    • 4
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      WW, that Gem of a retired, is cut and recut , polished and repolished like that unique bulky one, ( sapphire) with no buyers returned home to be kept in a museum . Whereas this author was reportedly cut and polished in Princeton and turns out just a broken glass piece. What a waste of money.

      • 4
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        Darini,

        I’m not an Economist …… haven’t even walked past an Economics-class to overhear.

        I’m a simple man with simple questions ……… can handle a bit of complexity if the need be.

        When you guys always write about The IMF as our main/only source of rescue …….. the question that pops into my mind is, how do other countries avoid The IMF? Why SL and a few other recurring culprits are perpetually stuck with The IMF?

        We always want to emulate Singapore ……. how does Singapore avoid the clutches of The IMF?

        This is a clip of Mahathir explaining why he didn’t go to the IMF ……. and how Malaysia came through The 1997 Asian Financial Crisis.

        If simplicity is not your thang, I’m sure there are many complex articles on the web for your perusal.

        If The IMF is the big bad wolf …….. shouldn’t our priority be to avoid it?

      • 2
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        chiv ,

        Spot on !

    • 4
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      Read above article for an understanding of what’s going on about SL’s debt. Mostly a lot of idiocy in our daily newspapers by journalist being led by the nose.

      “Nuland’s comment did not conceal the fact that the IMF is essentially Washington’s proxy in its on-going Economic War on China and the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), for global connectivity. China, meanwhile has signaled that it will not bend to the increasingly obsolete Bretton Woods twins’ rules and debt restructuring standards in the “Asian 21st Century”. Rather China affirmed that it would pursue bi-lateral engagement on debt restructuring with Sri Lanka while providing immediate relief with a moratorium on payments for two years. The Chinese authorities had separately sent a letter of support to the IMF.”

      • 2
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        Sarath
        Our media are blind to imperialism and its handmaiden like the IMF.
        The tragedy is that RW will fulfill most of the likely IMF demands well before they are made.
        So the loan itself may be irrelevant to the poorer sections of the population.

  • 7
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    ‘Both state and private sector corruption were at the root of Sri Lanka’s Debt Default. “
    Quite right, it is called Crony capitalism. The colonized business and poltical elites of SL have bought their luxury apartments in London and New York with the funds looted from the hard work, blood, sweat and tears of Garment factory ‘girls’ and tea pluckers.
    When it comes to corruption and the lack of ethics there is NOTHING to chose between the private sectors business elites and corrupt politicians– they are all networked and equally corrupt.
    In fact the corporate and business elites and their managerial class/ caste who which make windfall profits exploiting women are all need to be taxed at 90 percent!

  • 6
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    Merging with India is the only option for Sri-Lankan get rid of the corrupt, anti-national Rajapaksa clan, but also save it from Chinese predatory Imperialism. Sri-Lanka has plunged to the grave economic crisis which is threatening to tear Sri-Lanka apart because of Rajapaksa’s corrupt policy. North-East Province has already been in control of India. With the discovery 5.9 million tonnes of lithium reserves in the District of Jammu & Kashmir, coupled with economic collapse in Pakistan and also the imminent collapse of Tibet from where China’s tight grip is loosened, there is no way for Sri Lanka to seek meaningful assistance from China. Moreover, Israel and France have signalled their support for India against China which sends the message that India will be a super-power in the Indian Ocean. Against such a background, China’s 15 percent of Sri Lanka’s total debt is likely to be settled by India, for which Sri Lanka cannot drag on the implementation of the 13th Amendment. Moreover, Sri Lanka is compelled to dance to the tune of India in settling China’s loan, as there is no way out. India is likely to intervene on the issue relating Sri Lanka’s debt Data when it had come forward to bail out Sri Lanka with 4 billion Dollars last year.

    • 2
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      Dude Ayaduruai. New Delhi’s SouthBLock is firmly in the American embrace and Moda Modi is Sleep walking into War with China. This is the US plan to destroy the 21st Asian Century and sustain western hegemony with its war machine.
      Actually in the West is it not the Corporations by the US led EU and NATO MILITARY BUSINESS INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX which is much more deadly than the Chinese Community Party that leads capitalist development and innovation using the huge Corporations like GAFAM and Pfizer bio war and Food Agricbusiness corporations and Oil and now geenwash green tech energy companies to control the world

    • 0
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      I say AR, you seem a lithium mine of information.
      Who tells you all these stories? Nostradamus or Baba Vanga?

  • 0
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    Your connections with other people are important, our connection to the earth. Every one running IMP
    To release the fund interconnection behavior is counted like before sri lanka called some countries as terrorist fund the way put it made country disconnected words have power Now the country is reaching in different tones, The pohotuwa election campaign was we don’t needs others we can do, But on the ground economies and supply chains are deeply integrated, RW happy to celebrate Independence day under capable heading, and next day importing eggs cannot feed the hens to lay eggs.

  • 4
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    The rest of the convoluted BS doesn’t deserve comment, but this takes the cake:
    “an air-sea oil and gas blockade in June-July 2022 during the US marines ‘Sea Vision’ operation that brought the economy to a standstill.”
    So, the 7th Fleet has achieved invisibility?
    I haven’t seen a lamer excuse yet for Gota’s bungling than this.

    • 1
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      There are articles that I want to read. The subject is appealing.
      There are articles that I like reading. The topic is educating.
      There are articles I choose to read. To while way the time.
      There are articles I hate to read. They are advertisements.
      You should not get worked up, Oldy. You lose a year of your life!

      • 2
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        Nathan,
        I get worked up when fiction is presented as history.

        • 3
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          Dear old codger,
          Isn’t our history a gigantic fiction!

        • 0
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          OC
          What is history other than glorified fiction written by the winner?
          It is being rewritten on the Internet now to blot out anything good about the ‘enemy’ so that the truth is buried deep beneath piles of trivia mass produced by big operators.

    • 0
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      OC
      Do you seriously think that Gota can be given sole credit for the mess we are in?

  • 4
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    OC, where are you ??? 1) The world is envy of Ceylon’s welfare state 2) Our achievement in Bankrupting country after 75 glorious years. 3) Systematic failure and dysfunctionality 4) Our fugitive President abandoning his responsibilities and running away from country. 5) ex PM arranging his own mercenary to attack non violent protesters. 6) Pictures of mansions burning post violence.

    • 4
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      OC , DRS some how seems to stimulate Chimpa and Dinuk with her writing. Usually including fans, less than 5 respond . After noticing 40 responses ,I got curious and to see it’s Chimpa with age old incontinence soiling all over the place.

      • 3
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        Chiv
        Dinuk is DRS herself, scratching her own back.🤣

    • 2
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      “1) The world is envy of Ceylon’s welfare state”
      *
      The relevant title of the section was “Envy of the Developing World: Ceylon’s Welfare State”
      Amartya Sen is cited for his view of the country’s social welfare, education etc. in the 1960s and 70s. They are based on factual information.
      However, I have doubts about the alleged views of LKY as they have been contested by others.
      *
      Grammar apart, how petty has one to be to refuse to give credit to the country for anything that it had really achieved?

      • 0
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        Deadwood, 1) list credits that you know, to the country for anything that it had really achieved in 75 years 2) Do anyone know, current opinion of Amartya Sen on bankrupt Lanka 3) Sen compared Kerala to Lanka then , recent view of an economist ” economic crisis in SriLanka must be a humbling experience for Kerala model proponents. Striking similarity. No manufacturing, no high – end services, tourism – led importing, even essential food items, remittance dependency especially from Gulf countries, huge debts. HDI indices means zilch without foundations”. 4) Majority Singaporeans (for people it matters) have no doubts or contesting views of LKY. 4) Regardless of irrelevant title , no country is envy of bankrupt Lanka. None wants to be the next Lanka. 5) Grammar apart, how stupid has one to be to give credit to the failed, dysfunctional, bankrupt country, for anything that it had not really achieved???

  • 4
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    Where does the IMF get its money? From Member quotas, Multilateral borrowings and Bilateral burrowings.
    Member quotas are the most crucial factor in all IMF decisions as quotas convert to voting powers. The United States is the largest member of the IMF. This has given the USA the highest voter share of 16.5% followed by Japan with 6.14% and China with 6.08%. This explains the USA’s veto power in IMF decisions.
    The IMF has 190 member states. Its member quota total is US$ 685 billion. Yet, one country, the USA, enjoys veto power with its contribution of US$ 118 billion which is approx. 1/6 of the total member quota. Clearly, there is a “democracy deficit” in the IMF. Anyway, it is not our business.
    Contd’……

    • 0
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      Sri Lanka must get out of the “dependent mentality”. The Sinhalese were known as hard working people. Before the arrival of the settler colonists, each and every Sinhalese was engaged in independent economic activities. They paid taxes because they were rich. The government should impose taxes on those who can pay taxes. Increasing water and electricity rates is a bad solution as it affects the general public, especially those who are engaged in home based individual economic activities. As at 2017, only 37% of the total electricity production was shared by household customers while 63% was shared by industrial and commercial sector customers. The government should have exempted household customers from tariff increases. I don’t understand why IMF conditions always target the poor.

  • 6
    1

    Those nations that offer credit (ie loans) with merely collateral as condition (ie if in default, they get to keep their collateral) would prefer a bankrupt country to remain in the hands of autocrats or major rogues. However, more decent lenders would impose conditions on the borrower, such as for what purposes the money will be used, accountability and record keeping, auditing independently etc. They would also impose conditions like co-operation against corruption. Neither of the two major political camps (who secretly connive and are in cahoots) has ever wanted to stop or reduce financial crimes meaningfully. Only the emergent NPP will offer genuine relief to the people although the route will be arduous. Repatriation of stolen assets, charging the despots responsible for the humanitarian catastrophe in Sri Lanka with crimes against humanity are all within their scope.

    • 4
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      LP
      “Repatriation of stolen assets, charging the despots responsible for the humanitarian catastrophe in Sri Lanka with crimes against humanity are all within their scope.”
      Even if does, will is be adequate to fill the financial gap and clean up administration?
      What will its stand be on the IMF?
      Can it stand up to US imperialism and its partners?

      • 0
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        SJ,
        “Even if it does, will it be adequate to fill the financial gap”
        Many seem to depend on media hype (@20%) to determine the amount of stolen money. We must allow that even crooks are rational, and wouldn’t live here if they could afford to live the rest of their lives at the Paris Hilton.

  • 2
    4

    Thank you for your informative article Darini!
    One third of Sri Lanka’s electricity is based on domestic hydropower and the balance two third is from imported oil and coal. I fully agree with the writer about Russian oil, gas and coal. Sri Lanka could have easily benefitted from Russia’s discounted fuel. Other countries benefited from it. Even countries that sanctioned Russia didn’t stop buying Russia’s fossil fuels.
    Apart from our economic issues, Sri Lanka is in the middle of a geopolitical mess. Unless Russia meets its goals, the outcome of the Ukraine conflict will affect Asia, too. The diplomatic spat between the US and China on Ukraine, balloon drama and Sri Lanka’s debt crisis deepens day by day. There is a possibility that the Ukraine conflict will lead to a destructive escalation between NATO and BRICS. As Sri Lanka is located in a strategically important location, it is important for us to be aware of Ukraine’s situation and what awaits next. Undiplomatic remarks made by US officials against China proves that the US is urgently looking for a proxy war in Taiwan which is a clear sign that they want to move away from Ukraine.
    Contd’……

    • 2
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      Before launching his special military operation in Ukraine, Mr. Putin offered to negotiate with Ukraine. But, Ukraine rejected the offer outright and chose to fight Russia.
      According to informal sources, over 150,000 Ukrainian soldiers were killed at the battlefield while 250,000 to 300,000 were disabled or wounded. Another tens of thousands of soldiers are missing.
      I am appalled at the Ukrainian President, his government and the US led NATO’s “lack of empathy”, “remorse”, “emotional numbness” and “compassion fatigue” over Ukrainian soldiers, their loved ones and Ukrainian citizens as a whole. Soldiers are continually sent to an unwinnable (war). The latest example is Bakhmut. Instead of ordering Ukrainian soldiers to retreat, the Ukrainian government deliberately made them sacrificial lambs to prove Ukraine’s ‘bravery and patriotism’ to the US led NATO to persuade them to send more arms and funds to continue their fight. I can write more but I want to write about the timeline of arms transfers to Ukraine.
      Contd’….

      • 2
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        Before launching his special military operation in Ukraine, Mr. Putin offered to negotiate with Ukraine. But, Ukraine rejected the offer outright and chose to fight Russia.
        According to informal sources, over 150,000 Ukrainian soldiers were killed at the battlefield while 250,000 to 300,000 were disabled or wounded. Another tens of thousands of soldiers are missing.
        I am appalled at the Ukrainian President, his government and the US led NATO’s “lack of empathy”, “remorse”, “emotional numbness” and “compassion fatigue” over Ukrainian soldiers, their loved ones and Ukrainian citizens as a whole. Soldiers are continually sent to an unwinnable (war). The latest example is Bakhmut. Instead of ordering Ukraine soldiers to retreat, the Ukrainian government deliberately made them sacrificial lambs to prove Ukraine’s ‘bravery and patriotism’ to the US led NATO to persuade them to send more arms and funds to continue their fight. I can write more but I want to write about the timeline of arms transfers to Ukraine.
        Contd’….

      • 2
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        As we approach one year of Russia’s military operation which saw a complete decimation of the Ukrainian army and its military equipment, I think the world has a right to know how the Collective West covered up the actual picture with lies, deception, green screens and fake propaganda. The timeline of the transfer of arms and ammunition to Ukraine tells us a different story. It is a mammoth list.
        (I actually wanted to send this the first week of February. But, I couldn’t. I am too lazy to update or make any changes. Therefore, I am posting it as it was. For the sake of transparency and accountability, I hope CT will publish my comments in full).

  • 2
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    This mammoth list provides details of arms transfers to Ukraine since February 24, 2022, from the day Russia launched a special military operation in Ukraine.
    .
    FEBRUARY 25, 2022
    THE US President authorized a military package worth of $350 million to Ukraine which included anti-armor, small arms and various munitions, body armor, and related equipment and Stinger anti-aircraft missiles.
    Hey what? Wait a minute. (I am reading this list for the first time as I try to condense it.) February 25 is only one day after Russia’s special military operation in Ukraine.
    I distinctly remember President Zelensky complaining to the whole world that he asked for help from President Biden and the latter said “No”. He said world leaders (the West) abandoned him. Did he mislead the world? Otherwise, this massive military package to Ukraine has been authorized on February 25, 2022 itself. How could that be? Was it all “an act” on the part of President Zelensky? Or, was he asked to keep quiet of all weapons transfers to Ukraine to fight against Russia? I believe the latter may be the case. Did Russia’s Intelligence Chief mislead Mr. Putin too, or was he already aware, but didn’t bother about it? Ok, the next.
    .
    1/20

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      FEBRUARY 26, 2022
      GERMANY – Lethal weapons to Ukraine; 1,000 anti-tank weapons and 500 Stinger anti-aircraft defense systems; And, directed THE NETHERLANDS to send 400 rocket-propelled grenade launchers and ESTONIA to 9 howitzers.
      THE NETHERLANDS – Separately sent 200 Stinger missiles, and 50 Panzerfaust 3 anti-tank weapons.
      BELGIUM – 2,000 machine guns.
      FRANCE – “Additional” defense equipment and fuel support (unspecified).
      DENMARK – 2,000 protective vests and related equipment.
      .
      2/20

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        FEBRUARY 27, 2022
        THE EUROPEAN UNION – Agreed to purchase and deliver weapons to Ukraine under the European Peace (?) Facility which includes arms, ammunition and fighter jets indicated by the FM/Ukraine.
        BELGIUM – An “additional” shipment of 3,000 automatic rifles and 200 anti-tank weapons.
        DENMARK – 2,700 anti-tank weapons. Spare parts for 300 Stinger missiles were separately sent to the US to be donated for Ukraine.
        SWEDEN – 5,000 anti-tank weapons, helmets and body shields, plus 135,000 field rations.
        NORWAY – 1,500 bulletproof vests, 5,000 helmets and other equipment.
        GREECE – Portable rocket launchers, ammunition, and Kalashnikov rifles.
        THE CZECH REPUBLIC – In addition to 4,000 mortars, 30,000 pistols, 7,000 assault rifles, 3,000 machine guns, a number of sniper rifles, and one million bullets sent earlier (date not known), 160 shoulder-fired MANPADS systems with equipment.
        SPAIN – 20 tons of medical supplies, defensive, and personal protective equipment such as helmets, flak jackets, and NBC (nuclear-biological-chemical) protection waistcoats.
        PORTUGAL – Military equipment such as vests, helmets, night vision goggles, grenades and ammunition, portable radios, analogue repeaters, and G3 automatic rifles, as well as hospital support.
        ROMANIA – Fuel, bulletproof vests, helmets, ammunition, military equipment, and medical treatment.
        .
        3/20

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          FEBRUARY 28, 2022
          FINLAND – 2,500 assault rifles, 150,000 cartridges for the attack rifles, 1,500 single-shot anti-tank weapons and 70,000 combat ration packages.
          NORWAY – 2,000 M72 anti-tank weapons.
          ITALY – Stinger surface-to-air missiles, anti-tank weapons, heavy machine guns, MG-type light machine guns and counter-IED systems.
          CROATIA – Rifles and machine guns, plus protective equipment sufficient for four brigades.
          CANADA – Military aid (undefined).
          LUXEMBOURG – Lethal and non-lethal equipment including 100 NLAW (Next Generation Light Anti-Tank Weapon), Jeep Wrangler 4×4 vehicles, 15 military tents, as well as logistical and financial support.
          NORTH MACEDONIA – Military equipment (unspecified)
          .
          MARCH 1, 2022
          AUSTRALIA – Lethal military aid including missiles and weapons.
          EU COUNTRIES have been debating whether to send fighter jets to Ukraine.
          US OFFICIALS have revealed at a House Armed Services Committee hearing that the US has sent Stinger missiles and many other weapons to Ukraine since September 2021.
          (Another revelation! September 2021 is five months before Russia’s special military operation in Ukraine!!)
          TURKEY – Bakar Bayraktar TB2 armed drones.
          .
          MARCH 2, 2022
          TURKEY – More stingers and javelins.
          SPAIN – 1,370 anti-tank grenade launchers, 700,000 rifle and machine-gun rounds, and light machine guns.
          .
          4/20

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            MARCH 3, 2022
            THE NETHERLANDS – announced that it will no longer share specific details about arms deliveries to Ukraine.
            The UK’s House of Commons Library PUBLISHED A REPORT detailing military assistance to Ukraine from many countries.
            CANADA – 4,500 nos. M72 rocket launchers and up to 7,500 hand grenades, as well as $1 million for the purchase of commercial satellite high resolution and modern imagery.
            THE CZECH REPUBLIC – 20 light machine guns, 132 assault rifles, 70 submachine guns, 108,000 bullets and 1,000 tactical gloves.
            .
            MARCH 6, 2022.
            ANTONY BLINKEN – stated that the United States has GIVEN “THE GREEN LIGHT” to Poland to send fighter jets to Ukraine. (The US to provide fighter jets to Poland and other NATO countries was on the cards.)
            (This is news to me. This is in March, 2022. Huh! Why does President Zelensky “plead” for something that had already been APPROVED 11 months ago? The world has been taken for a ride or what?)
            .
            MARCH 8, 2022
            POLAND – offered to donate its MiG jets to the USA to be sent to Ukraine.
            JAPAN – Bullet Proof vests, helmets, and other non-lethal military aid.
            .
            5/20

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              MARCH 12, 2022
              THE US – Arms transfers which included Javelin anti tank missiles and Stinger anti aircraft missiles.
              .
              MARCH 14, 2022
              IRELAND – 10 tonnes of ready-to-eat meals, 200 units of body armor, medical supplies, fuel, and other non-lethal aid.
              .
              MARCH 16, 2022
              THE US – More weapons including 800 Stinger anti-aircraft systems; 2,000 Javelin, 1,000 light anti-armor weapons, 6,000 AT-4 anti-armor systems, Switchblade drones, in addition to previously supplied 5 nos. Mi-17 helicopters and 70 HMMWVs.
              ​.
              MARCH 17, 2022
              SLOVAKIA – S-300 strategic air defense systems.
              .
              MARCH 18, 2022
              THE UK – 6,000 missiles, including anti-tank and high explosive weapons.
              SWEDEN – An “additional” shipment of 5,000 AT4 anti-tank weapons.
              .
              MARCH 26, 2022
              THE US – Civilian security assistance including armored vehicles and field gear.
              .
              MARCH 30, 2022
              THE US – 2,000 Javelins and 800 Stingers in addition to 2,600 Javelin and 600 Stinger missiles sent earlier.
              .
              MARCH 31, 2022
              NORWAY – 2,000 M72 light anti-armor weapons..
              .
              6/20

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                APRIL 1, 2022
                THE US – More security assistance including laser-guided rocket systems, Switchblade drones, Puma, and Counter-Unmanned Aerial systems, and more capabilities. Also, pledged to transfer Soviet-made tanks to Ukraine, as an intermediary for “unnamed’ countries”.
                GERMANY – Dozens of infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs).
                .
                APRIL 5, 2022
                THE CZECH REPUBLIC – became the first country to send tanks to Ukraine, including T-72 tanks and armored personnel carriers.
                THE US – Anti-armor systems.
                .
                APRIL 8, 2022
                SLOVAKIA – S-300 air defense system.
                THE UK – 800 nos. NLAW anti-tank missiles, Javelin anti-tank systems, loitering munitions, Starstreak air defense systems, and additional non-lethal aid.
                .
                APRIL 13, 2022.
                THE US – Another security assistance package.
                .
                APRIL 20, 2022
                NORWAY – 100 Mistral air defense missiles.
                .
                APRIL 21, 2022
                THE US – Another military assistance including 72 nos. 155mm Howitzers and 144,000 artillery rounds.
                .
                APRIL 22, 2022
                CANADA – M777 howitzers and associated ammunition.
                FRANCE – MILAN anti-tank guided missile systems and CAESAR artillery howitzers.
                SLOVENIA – T-42 tanks.
                .
                APRIL 24, 2022
                THE US – Ammunition worth $165 million as ‘a matter of urgency’.
                .
                APRIL 25, 2022
                POLAND – 200 plus T-72 tanks, infantry fighting vehicles and missiles for MiGs.
                THE UK – An “additional” shipment of anti-aircraft capabilities.
                .
                7/20

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                  APRIL 26, 2022
                  GERMANY – 50 Cheetah anti-aircraft systems.
                  CANADA – 8 armored vehicles.
                  AUSTRALIA – 6 nos. M777 155mm howitzers.
                  .
                  APRIL 28, 2022
                  THE US – Another security assistance package.
                  .
                  MAY 2, 2022
                  THE UK – A new aid package including radars, heavy lift drones, and thousands of night vision devices.
                  .
                  MAY 6, 2022
                  THE US – Another security assistance package including 25,000 nos. 155 mm artillery rounds, 3 counter-artillery radars, and other spare parts and field equipment.
                  .
                  MAY 8, 2022
                  CANADA – An “additional” shipment of military aid worth $500 million.
                  .
                  MAY 9, 2022
                  THE US PRESIDENT signed the “Ukraine Democracy Defense Lend-Lease Act of 2022” into law to facilitate lending equipment to Ukraine.
                  .
                  MAY 19, 2022
                  THE US – Another Ukraine military package for Howitzers and counter-artillery radar.
                  AUSTRALIA – Another military aid including 14 nos. M113 Armoured Personnel Carriers and a further 20 Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicles.
                  .
                  MAY 21, 2022
                  THE US PRESIDENT signed the “$40 billion Ukraine Supplementary Appropriation Act” into law.
                  .
                  8/20

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                    MAY 23, 2022
                    DENMARK – a Harpoon launcher and missiles
                    THE CZECH REPUBLIC – Attack helicopters (Soviet-designed Mi-24s), tanks and rocket systems.
                    GREECE, NORWAY, POLAND and some “unnamed countries” – artillery systems and ammunition
                    THE EU – Another military aid package under the European Peace (?) Facility.
                    .
                    MAY 24, 2022
                    CANADA – 20,000 nos. 155mm artillery shells.
                    .
                    MAY 31, 2022
                    THE US – More advanced rocket systems and munitions including Javelin anti-tank missiles, Stinger anti-aircraft missiles, powerful artillery and precision rocket systems, radars, unmanned aerial vehicles, Mi-17 helicopters and ammunition, and “advanced weaponry” such as multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS).
                    GERMANY – to provide Greece with German infantry fighting vehicles enabling Greece to send its old stock of Soviet-style BMP IFVs to Ukraine.
                    .
                    JUNE 1, 2022
                    THE US – Another military aid package including High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) and ammunition, five counter-artillery radars, two air surveillance radars, four Mi-17 helicopters and more.
                    GERMAN – An air defense system and a tracking radar system.
                    .
                    JUNE 2, 2022
                    SLOVAKIA – 8 self-propelled Zuzana 2 howitzers.
                    .
                    JUNE 6, 2022
                    THE UK – 3 nos. M270 multiple-launch rocket systems.
                    .
                    9/20

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                      JUNE 8, 2022
                      NORWAY – 22 nos. M109 155mm tracked self-propelled howitzers and other relevant materials such as gear, parts and ammunition.
                      POLAND – 3 Krab 155m self-propelled howitzer squadrons.
                      .
                      JUNE 15, 2022
                      50 UNNAMED COUNTRIES – have pledged more military aid to Ukraine at the US initiated UDC Group.
                      THE US – Another military package including multiple launch rocket system munitions, 18 more 155mm M777 towed howitzers and the tactical vehicles to tow them, and 36,000 rounds of 155mm ammunition.
                      GERMANY – 3 nos. M270 Mittleres Artillerie Raketen System (MARS) Launchers and GMLRS ammunition.
                      .
                      JUNE 16, 2022
                      FRANCE – 6 more Caesar long-range self-propelled howitzers.
                      .
                      JUNE 20, 2022
                      AUSTRALIA – 4 nos. 14 M113AS4 Armored Personnel Carriers.
                      .
                      JUNE 23, 2022
                      THE US – Another military package.
                      .
                      JUEN 29, 2022
                      THE UK – Air defense systems and other defense equipment and technology.
                      .
                      JUNEE 29, 2022
                      THE UK AND NORWAY – A joint donation of 3 MLRS long-range rocket artillery.
                      .
                      JUNE 30, 2022
                      SWEDEN – An “additional” shipment of anti-tank weapons and machine guns.
                      CANADA – 39 armoured combat support vehicles (ACSVs).
                      .
                      10/20

                    • 3
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                      Chimpa, I know it’s a long way to get to Feb 2023, but don’t keep us waiting, for the rest 11/20. Hope you are not competing with DRS alias Dinuk.

                    • 4
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                      Champa,
                      Is that all ? Are you finished?

                    • 0
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                      Champa. Unlike most others your comments a backed up with lots of Data which with my meager knowledge unable vouch either way. However, though the effort you put in is laudable, unlike many who talk from their hats.

  • 2
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    JULY 1, 2022
    THE US – Another military aid package which included HIMARS ammunition, two Surface-to-air Missile Systems (NASAMS), four counter-artillery radar systems, and 155m artillery ammunition.
    .
    JULY 4, 2022
    AUSTRALIA – Drones and 34 armored vehicles.
    .
    JULY 8, 2022
    THE US – Another military package which included 4 additional HIMARS, precision artillery rounds, 126 nos. 155mm Howitzers, 20 nos. Mi-17 helicopters, and numerous other munitions, systems, and other materials.
    .
    JULY 11, 2022
    THE NETHERLANDS – Heavy weapons, armored vehicles and self-propelled howitzers (quantity unknown).
    .
    JULY 18, 2022
    THE EU – Another military aid package.
    .
    JULY 20, 2022
    THE US – 4 more additional HIMARS totalling 16.
    .
    JULY 21, 2022
    THE UK – 50,000 artillery shells, artillery guns, drones, and more anti-tank weapons numbering the hundreds.
    LITHUANIA – M113 and M577 armored personnel carriers and ammunition.
    .
    JULY 22, 2022
    THE US – Another military aid package.
    .
    JULY 27, 2022
    GERMANY – 100 howitzers.
    .
    JULY 29, 2022
    GERMAN – 16 Biber bridge-layer tanks.
    NORTH MACEDONIA – Soviet-era tanks (quantity unknown).
    .
    11/20

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      AUGUST 1, 2022
      THE US – Another military package including additional ammunition.
      .
      AUGUST 4, 2022
      JAPAN – Civilian vans and UAVs.
      .
      AUGUST 8, 2022
      THE US – Another military aid package including more ammunition for HIMARS and 155mm artillery ammunition.
      .
      AUGUST 11, 2022
      THE UK – More MLRS and a “significant number” of precision guided M31A1 missiles.
      .
      AUGUST 15, 2022
      LATVIA – 2 Mi-17 helicopters and 2 Mi-2 helicopters.
      .
      AUGUST 16, 2022
      LATVIA – 6 nos. 155mm self-propelled Howitzers.
      .
      AUGUST 19, 2022
      THE US – Another military aid package including more HIMARS, 105mm Howitzers and artillery ammunition, Javelin and other missiles, and HUMVEES.
      .
      AUGUST 24, 2022
      THE US – Another military aid package including National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (NASAMS) and ammunition, 155mm and 120mm Howitzer ammunition, unmanned aerial systems and more.
      .
      SEPTEMBER 1, 2022
      FINLAND – 8th shipment of more defense material (unspecified).
      .
      SEPTEMBER 7, 2022
      LITHUANIA – 105-mm howitzers (quantity unknown).
      .
      12/20

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        SEPTEMBER 8, 2022
        THE US – Another military aid package including HIMARs, 105 mm Howitzers, HARM missiles, 1.5 million rounds of small arms ammunition, and more. Also, an allocation of $2.2 billion as assistance for Ukraine and 17 other “unnamed nearby countries”.
        NORWAY – 160 Hellfire missiles and other military support.
        .
        SEPTEMBER 15, 2022
        THE US – Another military aid package including HIMARs ammunition and 105 mm artillery rounds.
        .
        SEPTEMBER 17, 2022
        BELGIUM – Heavy machine guns, ammunition, and other equipment including non-lethal equipment for the winter, helmets, spare provisions and night vision equipment.
        .
        SEPTEMBER 19, 2022
        SLOVENIA AND GERMANY – Transfer of 28 Slovenian M-55S tanks to Ukraine in exchange for 40 German military transport vehicles.
        .
        SEPTEMBERR 26, 2022
        LITHUANIA – 50 nos. M113 armored vehicles.
        .
        SEPTEMBER 28, 2022
        THE US – Another military aid package including 18 HIMARs and ammunition.
        .
        OCTOBER 4, 2022
        THE US – Another military aid package including 4 HIMARS and ammunition, and more than 30 howitzers.
        .
        OCTOBER 6, 2022
        FINLAND – 9th “undefined” military aid package.
        .
        OCTOBER 7, 2022
        FRANCE – Another military aid package (unspecified).
        .
        OCTOBER 11, 2022
        GERMANY – First of four IRIS-T air defense systems.
        .
        13/20

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          OCTOBER 12, 2022
          SLOVAKIA – 16 Zuzana 2 (155mm caliber) self-propelled howitzers, the cost of which was financed by Germany, Norway, and Denmark in equal proportions.
          NORWAY – Monetary donation to the British-led “International Fund for Ukraine” to purchase approx. 17,000 grenades in 122 mm and 152 mm caliber for Ukraine.
          CANADA – New military aid including approx. 500,000 pieces of winter clothing, M777 Howitzer shells, Wescam MX-15D UAV sensors, and satellite communication devices.
          .
          OCTOBER 13, 2022
          SPAIN – 4 HAWK launchers.
          THE UK – AMRAAM anti-aircraft missiles (quantity unknown).
          PORTUGAL – 6 Kamov firefighting helicopters.
          ESTONIA – New military aid package which included winter gear, equipment and ammunition.
          .
          OCTOBER 14, 2022
          THE US – Another military aid package including additional ammunition for HIMARS; 23,000 155mm artillery rounds; 500 precision-guided 155mm artillery rounds; 5,000 155mm rounds of RAAM Systems; 5,000 anti-tank weapons; HARMs; More than 200 HMMWVs; Small arms and more than 2,000,000 rounds of small arms ammunition; and medical supplies.
          .
          OCTOBER 17, 2022
          THE EU – An Allocation of 500 million Euro for arms funds and the training of 15,000 Ukrainian troops.
          .
          14/20

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            OCTOBER 18, 2022
            GERMANY – Heavy and medium bridge systems, 167,000 rounds of ammunition for firearms, and 5 more armored recovery vehicles in addition to the 5 already delivered.
            .
            OCTOBER 19, 2022
            POLAND – 3 Krab squadrons, 54 cannon-howitzers.
            ITALY – A new aid package.
            .
            OCTOBER 26, 2022
            GERMANY – 2 more multiple rocket launchers MARS II with ammunition (new total of 5) and 2 unmanned surface vessels.
            GERMANY AND THE NETHERLANDS – 4 self-propelled howitzers Panzerhaubitze 2000 (new total of 14).
            .
            OCTOBER 27, 2022
            SPAIN – Hawk systems.
            .
            OCTOBER 28, 2022
            THE US – Another military aid package which included additional ammunition for HIMARS; 500 precision-guided 155mm artillery rounds; 2,000 155mm rounds of RAAM Systems; more than 1,300 anti-armor systems; 125 HMMWVs; small arms and more than 2,750,000 rounds of small arms ammunition; and 4 satellite communications antennas.
            POLAND – First sets of Bayraktar drones delivered to the Mirosławiec Air Base.
            .
            OCTOBER 29, 2022
            LITHUANIA – Offered to repair PzH2000 howitzers (totalling 12).
            .
            15/20

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              NOVEMBER 4, 2022
              THE US – Another military aid package which included funding to refurbish HAWK air defense missiles which were to be included in future packages. 45 Refurbished T-72B Tanks with advanced optics, communications, and armor packages; 1,100 Phoenix Ghost Tactical Unmanned Aerial Systems; 40 Armored Riverine Boats; funding to refurbish 250 M1117 Armored Security Vehicles; and tactical secure communications systems and surveillance systems.
              THE NETHERLANDS, THE CZECH REPUBLIC AND THE US – 90 nos. T-72 tanks.
              .
              NOVEMBER 10, 2022
              THE US – Another military aid package which included missiles for HAWK air defense systems; four Avenger air defense systems, and Stinger missiles; additional ammunition for HIMARS; 21,000 155mm artillery rounds; 500 precision-guided 155mm artillery rounds; 10,000 120mm mortar rounds; 100 HMMWVs; 400 grenade launchers; small arms, optics, and more than 20,000,000 rounds of small arms ammunition; demolition equipment for obstacle clearing.
              .
              NOVEMBER 14, 2022
              LITHUANIA – 12 nos. M113s (62 in total).
              .
              16/20

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                NOVEMBER 16, 2022
                SWEDEN – A military package including an air defense system.
                SPAIN – 2 more HAWK launchers and missiles.
                CANADA – $500 million in military assistance including winter gear.
                GERMANY – Advanced air defense, artillery and MLRS ammunition.
                GREECE – Unspecified quantity of 155 millimeter ammunition.
                POLAND – Additional artillery and tank ammunition and short-range air defense capabilities.
                .
                NOVEMBER 19, 2022
                THE UK – Another military aid package comprising 125 anti-aircraft guns and technology to counter drones, in addition to more than 1,000 new anti-air missiles previously pledged..
                .
                NOVEMBER 23, 2022
                THE US – Another military aid package that included
                NASAMs, HIMARS, artillery and mortars rounds, 250 vehicles, 20 million rounds of small arms ammunition.
                .
                NOVEMBERR 30, 2022
                SLOVAKIA – 30 nos. IFW BMP-1 infantry fighting vehicles.
                .
                DECEMBER 9, 2022
                THE US – Another military aid package including HIMARS, 155mm artillery rounds NASAMs, and other equipment.
                .
                DECEMBER 21, 2022
                THE US – Another military aid package which included 1 Patriot air defense battery, as well as ammunition for HIMARS, 155mm artillery rounds, and other equipment.
                SLOVAKIA AND MOROCCO – Transfer of MiGs is on the cards.
                .
                17/20

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                  2023
                  JANUARY 4, 2023
                  FRANCE – A shipment of light tanks that included AMX-10 RCs and Bastion Armored Personnel.
                  .
                  JANUARY 5, 2023
                  GERMANY – 40 Marder Infantry Fighting Vehicles and a Patriot missile defense battery.
                  .
                  JANUARY 6, 2023
                  THE US – Another military aid package which included 50 Bradley infantry fighting vehicles with 500 TOW anti-tank missiles and 250,000 rounds of 25mm ammunition; 100 M113 Armored Personnel Carriers; 18 155mm self-propelled Howitzers; and other equipment.
                  .
                  JANUARY 10, 2023
                  SWEDEN – 12 nos. 155mm Archer Howitzers.
                  CANADA – A NASAMS missile defense system and necessary munitions.
                  .
                  JANUARY 11, 2023
                  LITHUANIA – Bofors L70 anti-aircraft guns.
                  POLAND – Leopard 2 tanks.
                  .
                  JANUARY 12, 2023
                  FINLAND – Leopard 2 tanks.
                  .
                  JANUARY 14, 2023
                  THE UK – 14 Challenger 2 tanks and 30 nos. AS90 self-propelled artillery weapons.
                  .
                  JANUARY 16, 2023
                  THE UK – Another military aid package that included 100 armored vehicles including Bulldog armored personnel carriers, 100,000 artillery rounds, minefield breaching and bridging capabilities and £20 million in drone technology.
                  .
                  18/20

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                    JANUARY 17, 2023
                    THE NETHERLANDS – 2 Patriot missile defense systems (totalling 3).
                    .
                    JANUARY 18, 2023
                    CANADA – 200 Senator armored personnel carriers.
                    .
                    JANUARY 19, 2023
                    THE US – Another military aid package including 8 Avenger air defense systems, 59 Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicles, and 90 Stryker Armored Personnel Carriers along with numerous other contributions.
                    THE TALLINN PLEDGE (9 SIGNATORIES)
                    DENMARK – 19 nos. 155mm Caesar Howitzers LITHUANIA – 2 Mi-8 helicopters, L-70 anti-aircraft guns, and ammunition.
                    ESTONIA – All 60 of its 155mm FH-70 and 122mm D-30 howitzers, ammunition, and grenade launchers.
                    LATVIA – 2 Mi-7 helicopters, Stinger MANPADS, and UAVs.
                    POLAND – Dozens of S-60 anti-aircraft guns and KRAB howitzers.
                    (Pledges of other 4 countries not known.)
                    SWEDEN – 50 nos. CV90 Infantry Fighting Vehicles, NLAW anti-tank weapons, and mine clearing equipment.
                    .
                    JANUARY 20, 2023
                    FINLAND – Another “undisclosed” military package which reportedly included howitzers.
                    THE NETHERLANDS – Pledged to send F-16 fighter jets.
                    .
                    JANUARY 21, 2023
                    PORTUGAL – 14 nos. M113 Armored Personnel Carriers and 8 high-powered generators.
                    .
                    JANUARY 23, 2023
                    FRANCE – Sending Leclerc main battle tanks were on the cards.
                    .
                    19/20

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                      JANUARY 24, 2023
                      THE US – decided to increase production of 155mm howitzer shells needed by Ukraine to 90,000 a month.
                      .
                      JANUARY 25, 2023
                      THE US – 31 nos. M1A2 Abrams, 8 nos. M88 recovery vehicles and 122mm munitions.
                      GERMANY – 14 Leopard 2A6 tanks to Ukraine and an unspecified number of Leopard 2 tanks to Finland, Norway, Poland, Portugal, and Spain.
                      .
                      JANUARY 27, 2023
                      POLAND – 30 nos. PT-91 Twardy tanks, 14 Leopard 2A4 tanks and 16 additional T-72s.
                      CANADA – 4 Leopard tanks.
                      NORWAY – 8 Leopard 2A4s.
                      PORTUGAL – 4 Leopard 2A6 tanks.
                      FRANCE – to send Dassault Mirage jets is on the cards.
                      .
                      JANUARY 31, 2023
                      FRANCE – 12 additional CAESAR truck-mounted howitzers.
                      THE US – Another military aid package which included longer-range strike capabilities including GLSDB glide bombs, HAWK air defenses, counter drone systems, Javelin anti-tank weapons, PUMA drones, and other munitions.
                      SPAIN – 6 Leopard 2A4 tanks.
                      .
                      FEBRUARY 1, 2023
                      DENMARK – 20 refurbished Leopard 1A5 tanks armed with 105mm guns.
                      .
                      (SOURCE: “FORUM ON THE ARMS TRADE”)
                      .
                      20/20
                      (Thanks CT.)

                    • 3
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                      Champa dear,
                      I have suggested to Mr. Putin that he should buy you and DRS so that the two of you can bore Zelensky to death.

    • 4
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      CHimpi,
      when would you change your medicine ?

      Please help us understanding it, so that we could plan our future.. you the kind of PISSU women are a burden to this planet.

      • 3
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        leelagemalli ,

        Doctors have given up on her ! Poor creature !

        p

        • 2
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          WW,
          .
          Champa is one common example from our sick society that we have our own problems but our people don’t take us seriously but try to make friends with Russians and other nations. Champa doesn’t care much about Sri Lanka’s sinking economy, all her opinions are based on his or her close ties with Russia.
          These beings do not understand even an iota about our serious problems. If that is the case, Sri Lanka doesn’t have enough money to keep its head above water these days. I’d be curious to know how her or his brain works from morning to night.
          .
          The real danger before us Sri Lankans is really high. The government does not disclose it as it did in the beginning because the internal truths could lead to the total collapse of the state.

  • 0
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    Continuation of my earlier list.
    Thirty one (31) countries and the European Union have provided military supplies, military aid and military equipment to Ukraine to fight an unwinnable war. The first question any sane person would ask is, did all these weapons reach Ukraine? If yes, did they reach Ukraine’s battlefield? If not, where are the weapons? Actually, it is not my business.

    • 0
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      This is the list by country in alphabetical order.
      .
      1) AUSTRALIA:
      M113 armored personnel carriers, Bushmaster protected mobility vehicles, missiles, and weapons – AUD $285 million ($200 million), six M77 155mm howitzers, four 14 M113AS4 Armored Personnel Carriers; drones and 34 armored vehicles (valued $68 million).
      .
      2) BELGIUM:
      200 anti-tank weapons and 5,000 automatic rifles/machine guns; heavy machine guns, ammunition, non-lethal equipment for the winter including helmets, spare provisions and night vision equipment.
      .
      3) CANADA:
      4 Leopard 2A4 tanks, NASAMS Air Defense Missile System ($406 million USD), 200 Senator armored personnel carriers ($90 million USD), 8 armored vehicles, M777 howitzers, 4500 M72 rocket launchers and up to 7500 hand grenades, 20,000 155mm artillery shells, as well as $1 million dollars for the purchase of commercial satellite high resolution and modern imagery​, machine guns, pistols, carbines, 1.5 million rounds of ammunition, sniper rifles, and various related equipment ($7.8 million), plus additional $20 million in military aid (CAD $25 million – details undisclosed)– CAD $118 million total (as of April 22) — and an additional CAD $500 million on May 8 (undefined), 39 armoured combat support vehicles (ACSVs), M777 Howitzer shells, Wescam MX-15D UAV sensors, and satellite communication devices.
      .
      1/8

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        4) CROATIA:
        Rifles and machine guns, protective equipment valued at 124 million kuna (€16.5 million).
        .
        5) THE CZECH REPUBLIC:
        90 nos. T-72 tanks, infantry fighting vehicles; attack helicopters (Mi-24); rocket systems; 400 million koruna ($18.23 million) of non-light weapons, including 160 shoulder-fired MANPADS systems (probably 9K32 Strela-2), 20 light machine guns, 132 assault rifles, 70 submachine guns, 108,000 bullets, 1,000 tactical gloves, all worth 17 million crowns ($756,000), and an earlier 188 million koruna ($8.6 million) worth of 4,000 mortars, 30,000 pistols, 7,000 assault rifles, 3,000 machine guns, a number of sniper rifles, and one million bullets.
        .
        6) DENMARK:
        20 refurbished Leopard 1A5 tanks, 19 nos. 155mm Caesar Howitzers, Harpoon anti-ship launcher and missiles, 2,700 anti-tank weapons, 300 Stinger missiles (returned to the United States to be made operational), protective vests. Joint commitment with Germany and the Netherlands to send 100 Leopard 1A5 tanks.
        .
        7) ESTONIA:
        60 nos. 155mm FH-70 and 122mm D-30 howitzers, ammunition, grenade launchers, Javelin anti-tank missiles; nine howitzers (with the permission of Germany).

        **** EUROPEAN UNION: €2 billion for military supplies, €500 million in military aid.
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          ​8) FINLAND:
          $434 million in new Jan. 20 security assistance package (includes howitzers), 2,500 assault rifles and 150,000 cartridges for them, 1,500 single-shot anti-tank weapons, and combat ration packages. Altogether 9 or more military packages were approved for Ukraine.
          .
          9) FRANCE:
          AMX-10Rc light tanks, 18 CAESAR truck-mounted howitzers, MILAN anti-tank guided missile systems plus “additional defense equipment”.
          .
          10) GERMANY:
          14 Leopard 2A6 tanks, 100 Leopard 1A5 tanks, 40 Marder IFVs, Patriot missile defense system, 32 Gepard anti-aircraft tanks, 50 Cheetah anti-aircraft systems, 56 PbV-501 IFVs, 1,000 anti-tank weapons and 500 Stinger anti-aircraft defense system, plus permission for select other countries to send weapons controlled by Germany, three M270 Mittleres Artillerie Raketen System (MARS) launchers and MLRS ammunition, 100 tank howitzers, 16 Biber bridge-layer tanks, IRIS-T air defense systems, heavy and medium bridge systems, 167,000 rounds of ammunition for firearms, 12 armored recovery vehicles, 50 MRAP Dingos.
          .
          11) ​GREECE:
          40 BMP-1 armored vehicles, portable rocket launchers, ammunition, and Kalashnikov rifles, 155mm ammunition.
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            12) IRELAND:
            200 units of body armor, medical supplies, fuel, and other non-lethal aid.
            .
            13) ITALY:
            Stinger surface-to-air missiles, anti-tank weapons, heavy machine guns, MG-type light machine guns and counter-IED systems and other military equipment.
            .
            14) JAPAN:
            Bulletproof vests, helmets, and other non-lethal military aid, civilian vans and UAVs.
            .
            15) LATVIA:
            Two Mi-7 helicopters, Stinger MANPADS, and UAVs, 6 nos. 155mm self-propelled Howitzers, four helicopters, Stinger anti-aircraft missiles.
            .
            16) LITHUANIA:
            Two Mi-8 helicopters, Bofors L70 anti-aircraft guns, Stinger anti-aircraft missile systems and ammunition, M113 (62) and M577 armored personnel carriers and ammunition; 105-mm howitzers; 50 M113 armored vehicles; 12 repaired PzH2000 howitzers.
            .
            17) LUXEMBOURG:
            102 NLAW (Next Generation Light Anti-Tank Weapon), Jeep Wrangler 4×4 vehicles, military tents, and additional lethal and non-lethal equipment.
            .
            18) MONTENEGRO:
            7000 MREs, 500 helmets, 300 body armor kits, 600 armor plates, 60mm and 82mm mortars, Soviet-era Strela-2M MANPADS, 216 Strela-2M MANPADS, 759 57mm anti-aircraft rounds, 8,000 76mm shells, 2.3 million 7.62mm rounds, and helicopter spare parts.
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    19) THE NETHERLANDS:
    2 Patriot air defense batteries, 200 Stinger missiles, 3000 combat helmets and 2000 fragmentation vests with accompanying armor plates, one hundred sniper rifles with 30,000 pieces of ammunition, plus other equipment; 400 rocket-propelled grenade launchers (with the permission of Germany), heavy weapons, self-propelled howitzers, armored vehicles. Joint commitment with Germany and Denmark to send 100 Leopard 1A5 tanks.
    .
    20) NORTH MACEDONIA:
    North Macedonia: unspecified military equipment, unspecified number of soviet-era tanks.
    .
    21) NORWAY:
    8 Leopard 2A4 tanks, 100 Mistral air defense missiles, 4,000 anti-tank weapons, helmets, bulletproof vests, other protection equipment, 22 nos. M109 155mm tracked self-propelled howitzers and related materials, three MLRS long-range rocket artillery (joint donation with UK), Hellfire missiles.
    .
    22) POLAND:
    14 Leopard 2A4 tanks, 30 PT-91 Twardy tanks, 260 T-72 tanks, other approved delivery of Piorun (Thunderbolt) short-range, man-portable air defense (MANPAD) systems and munition; Defense Minister expressed readiness to supply several dozen thousand rounds of ammunition and artillery ammunition, air defense systems, light mortars, and reconnaissance drones, three Krab 155m self-propelled howitzer squadrons (worth $700M); Bayraktar drones, dozens of S-60 anti-aircraft guns.
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      23) PORTUGAL:
      4 Leopard 2A6 tanks, 29 M113 Armored Personnel Carriers, 5 M114 155mm Howitzers, grenades and ammunition, G3 automatic rifles, and other non-lethal equipment like six Kamov firefighting helicopters.
      .
      ​24) ROMANIA: €3 million of fuel, bulletproof vests, helmets, ammunition, military equipment, and medical treatment.
      .
      25) SLOVAKIA:
      S-300 air defense system, eight self-propelled Zuzana 24 howitzers.
      .
      26) SLOVENIA:
      T-72 tanks (reported), undisclosed amount of Kalashnikov rifles, helmets, and ammunition; 28 Slovenian M-55S tanks.
      .
      27) SPAIN:
      6 Leopard 2A6 tanks, 20 M113 armored personnel carriers, 1,370 anti-tank grenade launchers, 700,000 rifle and machine-gun rounds, and light machine guns, 20 tons of medical supplies, defensive, and personal protective equipment composing of helmets, flak jackets, and NBC (nuclear-biological-chemical) protection waistcoats, 4 (to 6) HAWK launchers.
      .
      28) SWEDEN:
      12 nos. 155mm Archer howitzers, 50 CV90 Infantry Fighting Vehicles, NLAW anti-tank weapons, mine clearing equipment, 10,000 AT4 anti-tank weapons, helmets, and body shields; anti-tank weapons and machine guns (valued $40 million); air defense systems (part of $287 million)
      .
      29) TURKEYE:
      Co-production of Bakar Bayraktar TB2 armed drones​.
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        30) UNITED KINGDOM:
        14 Challenger 2 tanks, 30 nos. AS90 self-propelled artillery weapons, 100 armored vehicles including Bulldog armored personnel carriers, anti-aircraft capabilities (Stormer), 10,000 short-range and anti-tank missiles (including NLAWs and Javelins), Saxon armored vehicles, Starstreak air defense systems, loitering munitions, radar, heavy lift drones — with aid at £200 million, to rise to as high as £500m as of April 25. On May 2, an additional £300 million was announced. M270 multiple-launch rocket systems (quantity to be announced), $1.2 billion (air defense systems and other technologies), three MLRS long-range rocket artillery (joint donation with Norway); 50,000 artillery shells, artillery guns, drones, anti-tank weapons, additional MLRS, precision guided M31A1 missiles, AMRAAM anti-aircraft missileS, 125 anti-aircraft guns and anti-drone equipment as part of £50 million package on Nov. 19.
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          31). UNITED STATES:
          31 nos. M1A2 Abrams tanks, more than 230 Howitzers and more than 1,300,000 artillery rounds; laser-guided rocket systems; Switchblade, Puma, and Counter-Unmanned Aerial systems​; about 1,800 Phoenix Ghost Tactical Unmanned Aerial Systems; Counter-artillery radars; 38 HIMARS and HIMARS ammunition; 8 Surface-to-air Missile Systems (NASAMS); One Patriot air defense battery and munitions; 4 Avenger air defense systems; HARM missiles; 1600 Stinger and 8500 Javelin missiles; 2500 TOW missiles; 20 Mi-17 helicopters; hundreds of HMMWVs; 5200 precision-guided 155mm artillery rounds; 105000 155mm rounds of RAAM Systems; 45 Refurbished T-72B Tanks; 50 Bradley infantry fighting vehicles; ​anti-armor systems, small arms and various munitions; more than 108 million rounds of small arms ammunition; body armor; 58 coastal and riverine boats. January 19, $2.5 billion package for Ukraine: 8 Avenger air defense systems, 59 Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicles, and 90 Stryker Armored Personnel Carriers. February 3 package: GLSDBs, 181 MRAP Vehicles, 250 Javelin anti-armor systems, artillery rounds, 190 heavy machine guns and more. Additionally, 1.75 billion in USAI funds to purchase HAWK air defense units, anti-aircraft guns, radar systems, rockets, Puma drones, mortar rounds, and other munitions. Total is more than $30.4 billion in security aid from January 2021 (yes) to February 20, 2023.
          .
          (SOURCE: Forum on the Arms Trade)
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