By Kumar David –
Prof. Kumar David
A review of where this government has arrived at, as we approach its mid-term point, will have to be done in segments. Today I will deal with seven controversial embroilments originating in the first span of the Sirisena-Ranil (S&R) duumvirate. In the order in which they surfaced they are:-
- Sidelining the war-crimes/human-rights UNHRC processes.
- Lack of success in prosecutions of alleged Rajapaksa clan mega-sleaze culprits and inner circle murders. A dead-end in the Lasantha and Ekneligoda cases and ‘white-van’ investigations.
- The Central Bank bond “scam”.
- Dumping the Sampoor coal power-plant.
- Fraud in a coal purchase deal that appalled even the Supreme Court.
- A proposal for an economic development zone in Hambantota cum 99-year harbour and land lease; maybe another economic zone proposal with India in Trinco.
- The private medical college, Medical Council, Appeal Court and GMOA fracas.
There are other contentious issues in which S&R are enmeshed but either they are inherited or will blow over. Two mountains Lanka needs to scale before it get can anywhere are the deadlock on the constitution and hither-and-thither vacillation on economic fundamentals, but they belong to a different genre from the seven bulleted above. I have packed my comments tight and importune readers to reflect on and unpack the multiple underlying implications.
War-crimes tribunal
Most Sinhalese refuse to contemplate prosecution of military personnel for war-crimes and human-rights violations be the judges foreign, or locals who may bring negative verdicts. The masses would rather forget about any tribunal and insist there is nothing to investigate as only terrorists were bumped-off. Privately they say that those caught in the cross-fire deserved it and in any case “We killed only our Tamils, it’s our sovereign right and no business of outsiders”. Nothing will come of the UNHRC tribunal so long as Sirisena remains president – three more years – and Sinhala opinion stays dyed in the wool – the foreseeable future. Cosponsoring the Geneva resolution was to sideline it and the 34-th UNHCR session next month will be another whitewash. Diaspora importuning is futile since Lanka has achieved regime change, the international community’s priority. Lanka’s masses are more backward and reactionary than R&S so it’s not fair to cut too much from the duumvirate’s mid-term grading since we must distinguish between forced and unforced errors.
Though this is not surprising, the stasis on the second bullet point does take me by surprise.
Prosecution without teeth
In January and August 2015 I thought more would have been achieved by now. The riddle is why not? There are three theories, all plausible. I no longer buy the yarn that these are complex matters and it takes much time to prosecute successfully; maybe a case or two, but not all. One theory is that state investigative and prosecutorial bodies are riddled with Mahinda scum who undermine action; a second is that President Sirisena is beholden to “his” SLFP Ministers; many are known crooks and fear that the law will reach them. A third reason is a presumed tacit compact between the Rajapaksas and the Wickremesinghes not to go after each other or their immediate families. Ranil you will recall was spared during the Rajapaksa killing spree. The reason for quietus in successful prosecutions is presumably a combination of all three. Marks must be cut as most errors are unforced.
Bond scam
I am taking a rain check; so much is in the public domain, the Auditor General and SCOPE have intervened, and the President has appointed a commission of inquiry. Let us wait. My gut feeling is that there was a scam and its purpose may have been to repay monies borrowed to fund Sirisena’s January and the UNP’s August election campaigns. Morally wrong you say! OK, but then like Casabianca the boy on the burning deck, enjoy a monster as your president for another term.
Sampoor
Dumping the Sampoor joint venture between CEB and India’s National Thermal Power Corporation underwritten by the Indian government, was an unpardonable unforced error by President, Cabinet and line ministry (Energy Resources etc). I have expertise and long experience in power planning and from this vantage I say the cancellation is a blunder. Oil fired power plant will have to be rushed in to minimise shortages in 2018-2022. The additional cumulative (for this period) cost of not having Sampoor is about Rs 220 billion – twenty times the purported loss on the bond scam, not counting economic loss from power cuts. I was on a committee and the signed report and that submitted to the authorities was different in significant respects. Some technically educated members seemed beholden to bureaucrats with vested interests or the LNG commercial lobby. The duumvirate’s marks must be cut big.
Coal tender fraud
I have read every word in the press and the sobriquet fraud is unavoidable. I am in good company if you peruse the Supreme Court judgement or read the statement of the fired-for-whistle-blowing Lanka Coal Chairman Maithri Gunaratne. The key player is Secretary Batagoda, but he is too small a potato to get away with mega-fraud (estimated at Rs 4.5 billion) or to line his own pocket on this scale. I am at a loss whose tune he is dancing to. A cut of S&R grades is justified.
Hambantota development zone
Creating joint ventures, facilitating development zones and using Chinese President Xi Jinping’s advice at Davos – “go forward and globalise” – is correct. In principle collaboration with China and leasing Hambantota harbour to the China Merchant Ports Holding Company (CMPHC) is necessary. (I say in principle, because specifics are being challenged in courts – the acreage contemplated, the duration of lease and some terms and conditions. Shortcomings need to be rectified). It is however incontestable that if the national economy is to get anywhere joint development with China and India is sine qua non. Bypassing international tendering and entering direct negotiations with CMPHC is also correct in the circumstances. Manik Samarawicks’ ministry statement “Rationale and way forward” is persuasive.
It is necessary to go much further. Harbour development is only a fraction of what needs to be done. The debts incurred by Mahinda madness (passive harbour, mothballed airport and vehicle-less roads) totals about $3 to $4 billion and the annual debt servicing charge on all is close to $200 million. Current returns added together are about a tenth of this. What is needed is development zone encompassing harbour, airport and industries (manufacturing, processing and servicing). The airport is a sepulchre, dead as a doornail; it has to be turned into an aviation servicing, repair and maintenance hub. The navigational attraction of the harbour is overrated – modern ships don’t need intermediate bunkering and Hambantota will never be match Singapore as a transhipment point. It is only a huge industrial zone using the harbour and aircraft maintenance that may be able to pull Mahinda’s madness up by its shoe strings. If the government gets this right I am prepared to award lots of bonus points.
Private medical degrees
I have no sympathy for the GMOA and its campaign to run a closed-shop of medical practitioners – vide its attempts to scuttle ECTA and to restrict opportunities for medical education. I have confidence in Prof Carlo Fonseka and do not believe that he intends to harm private students – you just can’t do that after a lifetime teaching young people. My experience in similar situations in engineering (I have been on both sides of the table many times) is that the accrediting body lays out bridging course requirements when a programme is not up to the spec, the university designs top-up programmes in consultation, and things fall into place even if graduation is delayed by a semester.
I accept the ruling of the Appeal Court, unless and until it is reversed by the Supreme Court. This is not to say that SAITM is good or bad or its degrees worthy or otherwise. What I mean is in principle there is nothing wrong with encouraging private educational institutions. A lot needs to be done to regulate standards, regularise accreditation and bring Medical and Higher Education Ordinances into alignment. What I oppose is the threat by the GMOA to limit or withdraw service or to hassle patients.
If the government caves in and fails to stand firm it is finished! S&R can earn brownie points from me if they stand firm. In the event of strike action the working age limits should raised and retired or diaspora doctors brought; consideration should be given to enlisting Indian and Cuban medics on contract. It is time to bring the GMOA to heel. There will be disruption, but better now than after chaos and black-mail have multiplied.
Prof / February 12, 2017
So where are the midterm grades?
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sekara / February 12, 2017
Mid-Term Grading Of Sirisena-Ranil Duumvirate: Should not the last word be “Dumbvirate”?
1
If there is one thing that the people (at least of the North & East) applauded the duumvirate (really not the green man) that was “Dumping the Sampoor coal power-plant”.
2
While I have my reservations on the way the GMOA conducted itself in the matter of SAITM, I think that there are better ways to ensure that medical education is accessible to more among those with good GCE A-L qualifications than let profiteers make doctors of the less qualified with dubious training.
One should learn from how private university education has performed in South Asia and ask one’s self why in Europe higher education is still a state venture.
Education and health should be for the people and the country, and not profit seekers.
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Amarasiri / February 12, 2017
Prof. Kumar David
RE: Appraisal Of Seven Embroilments: Mid-Term Grading Of Sirisena-Ranil Duumvirate
“There are other contentious issues in which S&R are enmeshed but either they are inherited or will blow over. Two mountains Lanka needs to scale before it get can anywhere are the deadlock on the constitution and hither-and-thither vacillation on economic fundamentals, but they belong to a different genre from the seven bulleted above. I have packed my comments tight and importune readers to reflect on and unpack the multiple underlying implications.”
This has been made worse by the appeasement policy of Ranil and Sirisena, instead of taking cover under the Constitution and the Rule of Law. So what we have got are two leaders who are wimps and in cahoot with the Mahinbda Rajapaksa and cronies ans other crooks.
The GMOA Mafia is running berserk. All the GMOA thugs should be put under arrest for contempt of Law, Period. It won’t happens because almost all the politicians are crooks, thieves or under contempt of law and order.,
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jim softy / February 12, 2017
Ranil wickramsinghe is the prime minister. Right now, every thing is too much for him. For some time, he is running like a dig who took petrol on his but. What we always here is, Ranil Wickramasinghe is running around the globe.
We have a president. He is supposed lead the country. Instead, he is complaining that 50% of the contracts signed upto now are frauds. President’s most burning is his own survival. Because, At what ever the cost to the country. Mahinda Rajapakse wants to svae his children being prosecuted and their future being wasted.
One of the election promises of Ranil was FCID. It is just a waste of money and a political organization which tried to promote Ranil and his party. that did not work either.
Ranil’s own man Say the present govt is highly corrupt. Every day, news reports come high officials have signed contracts and billions lost.
Ranil made parliamentarians happy with big salary, benefits, perks increaes.
Now, the newst dram is JAckal opposition is lead by Mahinda Rajapakse, and not by JAckal LSSP, comminsit party etc., they are negotating with Maithripala sirisena.
None of two major parties can not win an election with a majority. So, they want three wheel – parties.
It is not only the coal tender. Everything is stealing.
Politicians are saving a lot for them. Because, they are disgruntles they cannot steal enough. Ministery secretaries and higher officials are stealing. departs are burdened with extra employees. work palces are full of workers who do not work.
What is the choice for Voters.
Even the Tamils are not getting anything except People like
kumar David who gets contracts because of affiliations and contacts. wigneswaran, LTTE Rump living overseas, TNA are living on dead Tamils. and they exploit Living Tamils.
It is the Same thing with Sri lanka. Sri lanka is the only country which does not have a specific language. NO one knwos whether it is Tamil, Arabic or Sinhala. Culture is South indian, Saudi arabian or may be sinhala too. Sinhala buddhist is a racist word.
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EDWIN RODRIGO / February 13, 2017
“My gut feeling is that there was a scam and its purpose may have been to repay monies borrowed to fund Sirisena’s January and the UNP’s August election campaigns”.
1- Isn’t the amount too high to be accounted for this way?
2- What about the 5.3 billion rupee profit made by Perpetual Treasuries Ltd.?
3- I am sure a large part of this money will go to Tamil International Something..as Kappan and will be used against Sri Lankan and its citizens.
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punchinilame / February 13, 2017
This write-up is incomplete without details of his 1st part. Summarised as:
Part 1:
1) Computer purchases for Mahindodaya labs. in Rs. 5.87 Bil..
2) Issue of 1000 diplomatic Passports during 9 yrs. of Rule.
3) 3 PSD Officers: Brig. Capt. & Major in Money Laundering during MR Regime
4) Tourist Board Officials Rs. 5.7 Mil. . transactions
5) SL Insurance re involvement of a Doc. & ex-Minister
6) S.E.Corp Rs.4.7 Mil. Transaction
7) Diary Printing by an ex-Minister Rs. 1.4 mil.
8) D.A.Rajapakse Museum construction Rs. 110 Mil. under Def. Secy. Signature, undertaken by Navy & LR&D Com.
9) Purchase of Gowers Pvt. Ltd. by a Parliamentarian
10) 40 luxury vehicles rented by S.Eng.Corp. Fraud of Rs. 91,635,591/- Million in Fort Magistrate Case No. B/3088/216 with W.Weerawansa remanded.
11) Rs. 3117 Mil paid by a Chinese Engineering Co. into 6 Banks A/cs.
12) Commonwealth Games Trip of 140 persons & exp. of Rs. 358 mil. Thereof
13) Rs. 12,500 mil. found dumped in Temple Trees during Dec.2014/Jan.2015 (see 54 below)
14) Prof. S.Wijeyasooriyas allegation re the sale & distribution of 40 Kg. Gold, also Siriliya A/c.
15) Air Force Commanders dealings in the hire of Helicopters to Crain Ltd.
16) J.C.Weliamuna Committee Rpt. on Lanka Airlines still in the hands of the PM of Sri Lanka.
17) An ex-CJ admitting corrupt (?) verdict on “Helping Hambantota” Case!
18) An MR Co-ordinating Secy. holding multiple jobs arrested with 10 Gold Biscuits,(1106 gm) by FCID
19) CICT paid Rs.19.41 mil. to Pushpa Rajapakse Foundation on 21-5-12 before Cololmbo South Terminal Contract commenced.
20) JVPs petition filed in Supreme Court re 193 charges against K.P. & his assets disposed during MR Regime
continued.
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punchinilame / February 13, 2017
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punchinilame / February 13, 2017
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punchinilame / February 13, 2017
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Douglas / February 13, 2017
The “Mid Term” or any other assessment of performance must be based on how the Government entrusted with Governance and Management of Public Affairs has performed so far and what plans are laid out for the future. Everyone at every turn complains of “Corruption”, “Waste”; “Mismanagement” and resulting “Debt Load”. But the people did not elect a new team to HEAR of complaints; but to sort out matters and RE DIRECT the course. For example, we now have Hambantota Port; the Air Port; and a Stadium with a Conference Hall. Those are already our “Assets” whether we like it or not. We have to make those the viable and best utilized public ventures. Now the ASSESSMENT must be based on HOW the present custodians are turning a leaf and making those to viable ventures. Have they come up or drafted plans and put into action any one single proposal to develop those outfits during the last two years excepting unwanted and expensive “ROAD SHOWS”? Even in Hambantotoa Port project a “ceremony” was held even without finalizing the agreements on what to do? We even heard how a Chinese envoy publicly disputing the land claim of 15000 acres for development. Nothing has been done or even proposed as regards the Airport and the Stadium. Leaving aside all other matters that are to be undertaken new, this Government has not done anything to develop what we have in hand already. Doesn’t that show the miserable failure and the high incompetency levels of this present Government. If any Management of a Social/ Commercial Venture makes an “Assessment” i.e. “Far Below Expectations” of that low of an employee, he/she would be laid off immediately. That yard stick must be applied even to Governments.
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Bodin / February 17, 2017
Mr. Kumar David was one person who used to write reams of paper calling for the
“one issue” campaign of abolishing the executive presidency. We were told that all evils of the last regime and of Sri lanka came from that. But now, even Kumar david has forgotten all that, and it never made either his first list or his second.
David is another unrepentant Marxist with his “end justifies the means”. Indeed, he is trying to excuse off the Bond scam by saying that it was somehow necessary to topple MR and to also finance the second election.
What hypocrisy. He is no better than our Muslim leaders who are also rank opportunists who follow the “end justifies the means” concept, except that the “end” is nothing more idealistic than staying in power.
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