19 March, 2024

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Crisis Deepens Without Rescue Plan

By Laksiri Fernando

Dr. Laksiri Fernando

Sri Lanka has come to a decisive political-economic juncture with a big question mark on the present administration. Crisis deepens day by day without any plan for its rescue. It appears that the foreign debt default in April this year has affected the local debt market as well. The defaulted foreign debt is not small. While the country owed $7 billion to foreign buyers this year, the total debt is estimated to be over $50 billion. Proper accounts are not kept on this matter. Different figures are given on different occasions.

On 22 June, the government tried to sell Treasury Bills to the amount of Rs. 93,000 million but could sell only Rs. 30,779 million, nearly one third. The credibility of debt resettlement is doubted both externally and internally. Out of Rs 30,779 Treasury bills the bulk and nearly Rs. 20,000 million must be settled in three months. These are the steps of current management, not so different to the previous one.

IMF and All

IMF officials are now in Colombo asking the government to show a viable macroeconomic plan, among other conditions, before they lend dollars, as Sri Lanka had not heeded these requests several times before. They will assist Sri Lanka to restructure debt, while giving the requested 3 billion in stages. Sri Lanka should have requested a bigger amount as the present foreign exchange crisis is insurmountable.

Amnesty International also has sent a letter to the IMF, emphasizing the unfortunate situation of the ‘poor and the vulnerable,’ among other human rights issues. Sri Lanka has a bad record of assisting political supporters and not necessarily the ‘poor and the vulnerable.’ It is also well known that the debt accumulated through sovereign bonds were largely used for unproductive purposes and to the benefit of certain sections. This was largely the same when Ranil Wickremesinghe was running the previous government (2015-2019). Among other things, the Amnesty International has said the following.

“To ensure that the verbal commitments above translate into real and effective protections in these difficult times, human rights must be central to any future economic reform program negotiated between the IMF and the Sri Lankan government.”

There are several foreign countries who are willing to assist Sri Lanka within the IMF framework, and Australia has already pledged A$ 50 million. The US has announced $12 million assistance (USAID) and this amount might increase. Britain is another country promising support. Japan has been a traditional donor and a lender who has today become somewhat distant. China will continue to assist.

Since January 2022, India has been generously assisting Sri Lanka through currency swaps, credit lines for essentials, and loan deferments. It is estimated that this generosity now amounts to $4 billion. This is mostly a new debt. This has taken a new dilemma because of the controversy over Adani deal.

No country or international agency would give dollars to Sri Lanka without any condition or some benefit in return. More pertinent question is whether the present Sri Lankan authorities would be able to manage this assistance properly and prudently. There are undoubtedly prospects in resolving the crisis in Sri Lanka. However, do we have the right administration to do so?

Grievances of People

Not only people’s grievances but also anger is visible in various queues for petrol, diesel, kerosene, and cooking gas. Over ten people have already died almost all of them due to ill health while in these queues overnight. Now there are food queues, mostly women are forced to attend. Most alarming is the shortages of medicine and medical equipment. The death toll is not properly counted. Inflation is now nearly 50% and the poor are the most affected.

Without fuel for their vehicles, people cannot go for work or run their businesses. Public transport is also not working properly due to fuel shortages. Now the government decision is to limit the working week to four days. Is that a right decision is a question? In addition to all these, there have been power cuts due to the lack of necessary fuel to run some power stations. Reuters and others have reported some of the heart rending stories about queues. The following is one.

‘Lasanda Deepthi, a 43-year-old Sri Lankan woman, plans her day around fuel queues. The driver of an auto-rickshaw on the outskirts of the commercial capital Colombo, she keeps a close eye on the petrol gauge of her sky-blue three-wheeler before accepting a job to make sure she has enough fuel.’

A woman three-wheel driver is a rare sight in Sri Lanka. However, Deepthi is one who has selected the job to support her family. She has stated ‘I spend more time in line for petrol than doing anything else. Sometimes I join a line about 3 p.m. but only get fuel about 12 hours later.’

The government and the Energy Ministry should have stopped people unnecessarily joining queues by transparently announcing a scheme how they would distribute the limited fuel to the people. Transparency is something the governments are lacking for a long period. There was no point in using the police or the army to discipline people when they gather in hundreds or thousands. When you google on the subject, the following are some news items you come across.

‘Long queues outside gas stations,’ ‘Sri Lanka troops open fire to contain unrest over fuel shortages,’ ‘Clash at fuel queue in Vavuniya – five hospitalized,’ ‘Sri Lanka sees signs of fuel riots as motorists wait for days in queues,’ ‘Clashes reported at gas queues in Kandy.’ ‘Sri Lanka’s poor queue for hours to buy kerosene amid crises,’ ‘Sri Lanka deploys troops as fuel shortages sparks protests,’ ‘Queue for death: Systemic examination of Sri Lankans’ etc.

Roots of Crisis

The crisis that Sri Lanka has been encountering at present is two-fold. (1) Economy is in shambles and the PM himself has named the country as bankrupt. (2) There is an emerging strong opposition, mostly extra-parliamentary, from the youth. It is difficult to distinguish one from the other and that is why it should be called a ‘political-economic’ crisis. If the major problems are not addressed soon, there is a possibility of an ‘uprising.’

The crisis has its roots in decision making or more correctly erroneous decision making. That is why people ask particularly the President to resign. Prof Mick Moore (University of Sussex) has uncovered the crisis as ‘manmade.’ Who is the remaining man? Apart from a necessary change of heads, there is a need for a policy change. Some can be outlined below.

Without going or listening to the IMF, the country depended mainly on China and sovereign bonds dubiously sold to questionable foreign institutions and speculators. Amounts were unbearable to the country. There is a possibility that some of the decision-making Sri Lankans had stakes in these institutions when sovereign bonds were sold. Now there is a lawsuit by the dubious Hamilton Reserve Bank against the country for not paying of their sovereign bonds. A former Central Bank Governor is also implicated. Even if they had a clean record, the borrowed money was not used for productive and priority purposes of development. This applies to both China loans and sovereign bonds. These deals should have been transparent.

What was particularly missing was proper financial management in the case of balance of payments and internal budget balances. Most of the budget figures presented were just bogus. Country’s income and expenditure did not match and 2019 budget was a mere disaster. There was no proper transparency. There should be a parliamentary committee like COPE to scrutinize past budgets. Or the present COPE should handle it. Lessons can be drawn, or the culprits could be reprimanded. There were huge budget deficits in actual sense and money printing was used as a solution. Local debt also was accumulating throughout years and as we have noted at the beginning the last Treasury bill auctions was a disaster.

During 2018 foreign exchange reserves were estimated to be over $9 billion. It came down to $7.6 billion in 2019. This was before the Covid pandemic and with a clear early warning for the policy makers. However, in the absence of proper measures, the amount came down to $5 billion by the end of 2020. These early warnings were clear enough to go before the IMF. Within the SLPP government and in the country in general there are sections who are opposed to the IMF claiming that the institution is not supportive of developing countries. Even if the IMF was ‘dubious’ during the early period, things have changed over decades. Sri Lanka joined the IMF in 1950. It is one of the important multilateral organizations among other institutions. It is up to the local officials to bargain and deal properly with the IMF.

It is very clear that Sri Lanka had enough time and opportunity to deal with the crisis earlier on. However, this was not done. It is difficult to excuse the President, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, on this matter among other things. He has a pathetic human rights record. Since the beginning of the financial crisis, the authorities have not taken measures properly to mitigate the situation. The ad hoc nature of measures is still a liability and would boomerang on the country again and again.

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Latest comments

  • 12
    4

    When the GoSL gave up on giving Government jobs / University places BASED on MERIT , the DECLINE of the country’s economy began.

    • 8
      1

      it will be interesting to know how aid in the form of food like from tamil nadu is (finally) distributed? Do people have to pay for this? If they have to, how is the money accounted for? Because I have not seen any of this aid transparently distributed – foc or otherwise to the people. What we see are a group of people grouping around for a photo op with the aid and nothing more thereafter.

      • 7
        1

        Bernard

        “Do people have to pay for this?”

        Tamilnadu government initiated this free aid programme on its own. We would not know how this food is distributed. Stalin the Chief Minister of Tamilnadu clearly stated every Sri Lankan is entitled to food, medicine, powdered milk, …. at free of cost.

        Here at this end we would not know who would steal or what portion would be distributed among the needy.

      • 2
        12

        Bernard,

        This “food aid” from Tamil Nadu is going to Tamil areas.

        “Food supplies from Tamil Nadu arrived in Vavuniya yesterday as the island’s economic turmoil continues.”

        https://www.tamilguardian.com/content/aid-tamil-nadu-arrives-vavuniya-supply-essential-items-runs-dry

        I don’t know why terror supporters are excited, as this very small amount of food is feeding mostly Tamils. The government has secured loans from India to buy food and other essentials.

        When the war was going on, the government had to send food supplies to LTTE-controlled areas to prevent mass starvation. While the Diaspora lied to the world about “genocide.”

        • 8
          2

          The aid( food and medicines) given by Tamil Nadu is substantial and is being distributed throughout the country and not just to the Tamil areas. Other than Tamil Nadu, and the central Indian government, no other Indian state has come to the aid of Sri Lanka, as Tamil Nadu is the only Indian state that has close ethnic and historical connections to not only the Tamils of Sri Lanka but also the Sinhalese and Muslims of Sri Lanka, as the vast overwhelming majority of their ancestors also originated from Tamil Nadu, many also from Kerala and parts of southern Andhra but then at that time this migration happened, there was no Malayalam identity, and these parts of Andhra were also Tamil. Yes, Tamil Nadu aid arrived in Vavuniya, also to Kandy, Galle, Colombo and many other places. I find many of your comments extremely racist, disgusting and deliberately misleading. Sad.

          • 8
            2

            During the war, very minimal food, medicines, gas, fuel and other essential supplies were sent to the LTTE-controlled areas, to deliberately punish the Tamils and the Tamils learned to improvise, grow more food, find other alternate sources, of energy and other needs and smuggle other essentials from South India. These are all well recorded, again deliberately lying and misleading. The war was caused by state-sponsored terrorism against the island’s Tamils,, and the Tamils fought against this.

          • 2
            11

            “The aid( food and medicines) given by Tamil Nadu is substantial”

            Sri Lanka did not ask Toilet Nadu for donations. The amount is small and insignificant. If you disagree, state the amount here. Sri Lanka has secured loans from the Indian government to buy large amounts of food.

            “Tamil Nadu is the only Indian state that has close ethnic and historical connections to not only the Tamils of Sri Lanka”

            Yes, Tamil Nadu and Tamils of Sri Lanka are connected. See the word “Tamil?” There is no connection to Sinhalese, other than some Cholas who kept trying to invade the country and damaged important irrigation sites.

            “I find many of your comments extremely racist, disgusting and deliberately misleading. Sad.”

            Since you subscribe to the fake freedom struggle, of course you will disagree with what I write. You are completely brainwashed. It is like looking into the mind of a suicide bomber.

          • 1
            12

            “as the vast overwhelming majority of their ancestors also originated from Tamil Nadu, many also from Kerala and parts of southern Andhra but then at that time this migration happened, there was no Malayalam identity, and these parts of Andhra were also Tamil.”

            Yes, yes, first people were Tamil. Dinosaurs were also Tamil, Ancient Egyptians and Greeks were also Tamil. First language, civilization, writing system, all were Tamil. Sun and moon are also Tamil, if one does not go blind staring at them. Tamils are great – in their own minds. But where is the homeland?

            • 5
              2

              You are becoming more childish and pathetic in your arguments, in order to refute the obvious truth. Please post sense. Anger and hatred do not help. Why did Thamizh claim that ancient Greeks or Egyptians are descended from them? The answer is no. Lots of Thamizh Pandarar from South India migrated to the Kandyan kingdom and their Chingkalized descendants are the Kandyan Bandara or the name or title Banda. I think you get the gist of what I am stating, as you should know. Smile. Pandarar( Bandara) Pandara Manickam( Bandara Manicke) Pandara Naickan( Bandara Naicke) . Pantari( A chief or land owner) Banda ( a son of a land owner). Hope you are happy with the information with regards to the family tree.

              • 1
                1

                Kandyan Kingdom was the last kingdom. Sinhalese descended from original Hela people on the island and later Orissa (Bengali) Vijaya. If you go to Dambulla, you can find this inscription about Nissanka Malla:

                “…having come from the royal line of the Ikshvaku family having become like a forehead mark to the royal family of Kalinga emperors born at Sinhapura…”

                Sinhalese kings were very proud of their Aryan lineage.

                Ikshvaku lived in Kosala, which is in Odisha/Uttar Pradesh, North India.

                I know you are frustrated that real high-caste Brahmins like JJ rejected your fake freedom struggle & compared Thalaivar to Osama-Bin Laden, iyo

    • 2
      10

      Naman,
      “…the DECLINE of the country’s economy began.”
      —-
      Two aspects that you mentioned did not have a significant negative impact on the economy. Two factors that had a significant impact on the economy to decline are Tamil terrorist campaign that lasted for three decades and terrorist attacks carried out by Muslims on Easter Sunday. Both had a serious negative impact on political stability and economic development of the country.

      • 7
        1

        Note this, EE:
        .
        Naman certainly has a point there. It is Gota’s ignorance that has caused this mess. Agriculture and Money-printing, instead of asking for IMF “restructuring” two years ago. The people realise this intuitively, that’s why they are asking the guy to “Go”! However, they may not be able to analyse this intelligently, so it is possible that they will want continuation of this system.
        .
        Some of you may have seen me being grateful for our electricity and telephones working satisfactorily. But there was this fuss about a Mr Ferdinando being forced to retire. I followed all the COPE proceedings on that, available on YouTube, in Sinhalese.
        .
        Here’s something that I dare not comment on; some of you who are anonymous could, just by googling conscientiously. Find out how much the guy who reads your electricity meter takes home every month. You will be amazed!
        .
        This is dynamite! If it is known that I’m the guy who drew attention to the ridiculous salaries being paid to employees of CEB (also Harbour, perhaps, SLT, SLTB, CGR), I may become a marked man. The next time I have to report a breakdown of electricity, it’ll go unattended – or they may even cause me to get disconnected, although I pay my bills regularly.
        .
        How many times will CT allow EE to make the same racist statement that he has made above?
        .

        • 1
          0

          Sinhala_Man: “How much the Meter Reader takes home”. That is not what should have been brought to the attention of the public. Some other “IDIOTIC” decisions by the “Management” of the Electricity Board came to light and that was: “A meter reader is paid an “AdditionalAllowance” to read the meter “CORRECTLY”. How do you like that?

          Very probably and more so “DEFINITELY” would have been a “Decision” made in “Succumbing” to a “DEMAND” by a particular Trade Union. In addition, it was divulged that the “PAYE” tax that should have been “Deducted” from the pay cheque was paid by the EB funds. I am of the opinion even some of the “Trade Unions” are “Responsible” and must be made “Accountable” for these types of “CRIMES” and “CORRUPTIONS.”

          Did you not see the “COLOSSAL” sum of money lost to the EB by way of these types of “ILLEGAL” payments? No wonder such “Illegal” payments are rolled back to the “Unsuspecting” consumer. How would the “NPP” address these “ISSUES”?

        • 2
          2

          Sinhala_Man,

          “It is Gota’s ignorance that has caused this mess. Agriculture and Money-printing, instead of asking for IMF “restructuring” two years ago.”

          Sri Lanka would probably be in this mess with or without Gotha. It has been to the IMF 16 times already. COVID-19, Easter attacks, fertilizer just blew up the issues. Going to the IMF is clearly not a permanent solution. It is similar to a heroin addict. There are fundamental structural issues in the economy that need to be fixed with minimum reliance on loans.

      • 1
        2

        Something MORE for Eagle Eye to heed:
        .
        How much is spent on Defence? I looked at what Dhammika Perera has said on the subject in his FaceBook, and found it scary.
        .
        No country is candid about Defence Spending, for obvious reasons. But other countries that spend exorbitantly possibly face external threats.
        .
        All OUR money is spent in case this Rajapaksa-Ranil-Dhammika government (of whom only Gota has a mandate of sorts, now cancelled by the people’s vociferous but peaceful demonstrations) has to go on the OFFENSIVE, against us, the Citizens of this country. All of us, Sinhalese, Tamils, Muslims, Christians, Burghers, Malays, are going to be targetted very soon by this Junta.
        .
        You can be sure that they are also stealing a lot from this allocation.
        .
        Somebody who has some inkling of Defence Spending must write an article on this subject.

        • 0
          1

          Sinhala_Man,
          Now that fuel supply is only for essential services and not to any other, possible time game will start??
          All will be at home, easy to monitor and control??!!
          NO LOCK DOWN!!

      • 7
        2

        TUCO Eagle Eye

        How did terrorist attacks deteriorate Sri Lankan economy.

        TUCO the economy failed from 1948 because the Sinhala/Buddhist crooks sucked every cents out of the economy or their racist policies had a negative impact on the economy over 74 years.

        The country has been held ransom not by terrorists, (LTTE, JVP, …..) but by SLFP, UNP, CP, LSSP, …… Sangha, Armed, forces, Academic …. and the state functionaries.

        Where were all the aids this island received from UK, USA, Canada, … Australia, Japan, ….?

        US Aid:
        During five decades of assistance, the U.S. Agency for International Development
        (USAID) has contributed more than $1.9 billion to Sri Lanka, working in the areas of
        economic growth, agricultural development, environment and natural resources, health, education and training, democracy and governance, transition initiatives and humanitarian assistance (https://pdf.usaid.gov/pdf_docs/PDACK908.pdf) + PL480.

        TUCO
        Why don’t you pull your head from wherever its and look into aids received from Japan. Japan provided billions and billions of Rupees in aid.
        What % was actually used for projects and how much did your crooks swindled?

        During the war over 18 months Hindians provided almost $2 Billion in Aid.

      • 1
        3

        EE,
        “Two aspects that you mentioned did not have a significant negative impact on the economy. Two factors that had a significant impact on the economy to decline are Tamil terrorist campaign that lasted for three decades and terrorist attacks carried out by Muslims on Easter Sunday.”
        Ostrich, spelling out reasons, repetition of the ‘Old Hat’, with “buried head in Sand” as usual!!!

    • 5
      1

      Naman,
      “When the GoSL gave up on giving Government jobs / University places BASED on MERIT ,”
      That was accompanied by non-merit based colonisation . All these led to a 30 year war which was paid for with loans, and fought by an army which couldn’t be demobbed.
      And there are still people who see all this in terms of “suicide bombers”.

    • 0
      1

      Naman,
      Good Morning.
      When the war ended May 2009, the economy was booming and country was doing well, including investments (FDI)!!!
      War expenditure for armaments were mostly gratis by, US, India, Pakistan, China, Russia and in some instances Western Europe too, including The UK, after the Ban on LTTE, being persuaded by redoubtable LK, the then Foreign Minister, prior to his untimely demise!
      The rut set in after 2010, when The Messiah, smacking his lips at the booming economy started the unplanned, ill-advised projects with no RoI??
      2010 to 2015, of spending unnecessarily and lining his pockets and aggrandisement, of a family who claimed did not own a vehicle to take a very sick family member to Hospital in time in the 70’s!!!
      Emancipation of members of parliament of SL at the expense of the public!!!
      Treasury/CBSL statistics – no guess work
      Rejuvenate the economy, first and foremost recover (even if it takes years) from the looters invested in foreign countries, such as US, Uganda, Kenya, Seychelles, Mauritius and islands in Maldives!!!
      Intermediate remedy, thereafter long term remediation could commence!

    • 1
      0

      Dear Dr LF,
      .
      Is the situation not similar to a mad pilot sitting in plane cockpit heading to SL ? Can you imagine various anxities and concerns the people may have caused as of now. Covid 19 killed over 16.500 for their total ignorance, now people to let dying for hunger and being caught by psychological problems (depressions and various other ailments).
      Almost everyone, incl school going children have lost their hopes. Ques for getting their passports and leave the country for any better place has been their option for the youth today. They dont mind coming to Romenia any other far poor countries and earn some dollars.

      Why cant yet so called patriotic SANGA Rathnanya (Buddhagama monks) appeal to the conscience of adamant president ? Instead, those STAR monks like Madagoda Abeypussa, Iththakanda and not forgetting that fierce dog, Ghanasara are all yet in hibernation mode.

      Stupid Buddhagama monks may still hope that Rajapakshes could make miracles. I am born buddhist, but I am ashamed of our religion today.

      :

    • 0
      1

      (Part I)
      Naman,
      Good morning.
      Please do not forget Standardisation which did immense damage to the professional capacity of SL administrative and related services! Caused “brain drain”, which many could not foresee or was not bothered to notice!!
      Racist politicians were happy with glee that Tamils were in an exodus??!!
      Standardisation to pull down the ability of a student to got University to further his aspiration and ambition of a profession, simply based on where he was born and which part of Sri Lanka he/she studied for the entrance exam??!!
      They went to Overseas Universities and became doctors, engineers and professionals!!
      Lost to the western world and leaving behind in SL the refracts to govern with the politicians, who didn’t have 7th standard education??!!
      No wonder, we could not manage the Economic crisis or foresee what was heading towards Sri Lanka??
      “Illang Kanawa”??
      That is the reason, Tamil Diaspora, hold high positions (doctors, surgeons, engineers, economists, accountants, Financial and in high Administrative Management and as ILO, FAO, WHO, UNDP consultants) and in the western world and became wealthy!!!
      None of them excepting handful, as they educated from their own funds and not government “Free

    • 0
      0

      (Part II – contd.)
      Education” such as the doctors and specialists in Sri Lanka!
      Most Sinhalese went abroad for post graduate came back, which is patriotic and remarkable too! However, some who were qualified under ‘free education’ decided sought greener pastures? Cannot classify unpatriotic, as they had an inkling, of the outcome, governed by ‘Mee Harak’!!

  • 3
    3

    Crisis Deepens Without Rescue Plan

    Seeable crisis oil is coming next day oil is not coming, This is the saying of Heads A lie cannot live, all are thinking to go abroad as they know lie don’t fix things The habit of lie in parliament And once you understand that habits can’t change and continuously.

    The leaders ate the country and Ranil is ditributing the land to people and saying to grow and eat

    • 1
      1

      NOT HIS LAND, BUT PUBLIC LAND, RESERVED FOR FUTURE EXPANSION OF RAIL SERVICES!!
      That is Like cracking the coconut found uncollected under a coconut tree at the temple in the street corner!!??
      They are all generous in misusing the public property and not their own??!!

  • 6
    0

    A detailed logical article. Is it wisdom of hindsight? But no one would have listened before the collapse. I thank you for taking up two things together and I repeat it here. “To ensure that the verbal commitments above translate into real and effective protections in these difficult times, human rights must be central to any future economic reform program negotiated between the IMF and the Sri Lankan government.” Though this was reproduced from AI report, I wish to thank you for reproducing it. I hope an admosphere can be created where weak people can develop a sense of belonging to the country. This atmosphere was never created for Tamils after independence. This crisis, we hope will change this situation. I hope the IMF and international community and India will take note.
    You have also clearly said that this worst economic mismanagement was unnecessary and only an incompetent leader can achieve it. Hence he must give way to a competent leader or leadership group. Therefore GR must gracefully depart the scene for the sake of the country. As you have said RW cannot be that replacement.

    • 2
      10

      ShanR,
      “This atmosphere was never created for Tamils after independence.”
      —-
      Who says so?
      After independence, Sinhala Government introduced free education for all the students in the country. Tamils were not excluded because they are new arrivals to the country. Sinhala Government passed ‘Prevention of Social Disabilities Act (No.21 of 1957)’ giving the opportunity to low caste Tamils (Dalits) in Yapanaya to attend schools. Sinhala Government passed Standardization giving the opportunity to Tamils who lived outside Yapanaya and Colombo to enter the universities. Sinhala Government made learning Tamil compulsory for Sinhala students and learning Sinhala compulsory for Tamil students to promote greater interaction between the two communities.

      • 3
        0

        “After independence, Sinhala Government introduced free education for all the students in the country. “
        Not really. It started before independence.
        But it did not reach the plantation worker community.

      • 9
        2

        TUCO Eagle Eye

        “After independence, Sinhala Government introduced free education for all the students in the country. “

        Stupid man Free Education was introduced in 1945 3 years prior to independence. Free education was initially opposed by D S Senanayake and other Sinhala elites. However Ramanathan brothers were actively supported free education (A history of Sri Lanka by Silva, Kingsley Muthumuni de).

        Gradually and stealthily Siri Mao tried her best to deny rights to higher education for Tamil speaking students. Please stop being nice to Tamils.

        ” Sinhala Government passed ‘Prevention of Social Disabilities Act (No.21 of 1957)’ giving the opportunity to low caste Tamils (Dalits) in Yapanaya to attend”

        TUCO
        Are you sure this was meant only for Tamil speaking people?
        Please consult with SJ.

        D. S. Senanayake made sure millions of hard working Tamil Speaking people were disenfranchised. Now it appears estates need workers. Why don’t you import workers from, USA, Europe, Japan, ….. China to do the menial jobs?

        • 5
          2

          TUCO Eagle Eye

          ” Sinhala Government passed ‘Prevention of Social Disabilities Act (No.21 of 1957)’ giving the opportunity to low caste Tamils (Dalits) in Yapanaya to attend”

          Where does the PREVENTION OF SOCIAL DISABILITIES ACT (NO. 21 OF 1957) says the Act was meant for Tamils and Tamils only?

          TUCO this is part of Banda,s Social reform package for Sinhala/Buddhist ” Pancha Maha Balavegaya ” grant project. Please check your facts before you start typing.

          You can bring SJ as your defense Counsel. He will help you to point out Social Inequalities in Thamil Nadu and make you happy.

      • 1
        2

        EE,
        Kohede Yanne Malle Pol!
        Why leave out, STANDARDISATION, out of the mix of your reasoning of EQUITABILITY, wrongly classifying Jaffna Peninsula equals Colombo!!!
        Only an absent minded PM, Cabinet and government could justify that when most of the peninsula was without electric lighting and Kerosene lamps were source to students to do the home work!!!
        Leave all other hardships out??!!
        Was that not amounting to idiosyncrasy, to cover up the governments’ lack of purpose in so called FREE EDUCATION FOR ALL, without library and other facilities unavailable for the rural poor in hinterland Sri Lanka in the south???
        Any reputed educator knows that, the way to go is,
        1. PULL THE WEAK STUDENT UP – MORE FACILITIES
        2. NOT PUTTING DOWN THE INTELLIGENT,KNOWLEDGEABLE STUDENTS!!!
        THAT DEMOTIVATES STUDENT FROM ACHIEVING BEST OUTCOME?
        That is what standardisation achieved??!!
        Supposed to be temporary measure introduced, 1970 time to fix infrastructure improvement in hinterland Sri Lanka??
        NOW IT IS WELL OVER 50+ years??!! Why still going on??
        No money! So called guardian angels robbed the country – looted for their benefit??!!
        Konde Bandhapu Cheenanta Kiyana Kaththawa!!!
        Tell this story to southern, ‘Mee Harakas’ clan looting public purse!!!
        Idiotic ENOUGH, WHEN FAILED CAN’T GO!!!

      • 5
        1

        Eagle,
        “Sinhala Government made learning Tamil compulsory for Sinhala students”
        So, how much Tamil did you learn?

  • 7
    2

    “The ad hoc nature of measures is still a liability and would boomerang on the country again and again.”
    Among the measures that can be listed, the time has come for ALL the Sinhala Political/ Religious Leaders to acknowledge that they HAVE caused ENORMOUS HARM to the Tamil Speaking Ceylonese/ Sri Lankans.
    Tamils diaspora and the residents in the North and East of the country AREN’T happy about the WAY Sinhala Security Forces are treating the Tamils. The GoSL should take actions to CURB the violent nature of their security forces. It should also abolish PTA and RELEASE ALL the Political prisoners especially Tamils. Why is KP, Pillian and Karuna are being treated differently? What is the opinion of L F ?

    • 1
      5

      Naman,
      “…the time has come for ALL the Sinhala Political/ Religious Leaders to acknowledge that they HAVE caused ENORMOUS HARM to the Tamil Speaking Ceylonese/ Sri Lankans.
      —-
      What harm Sinhala political/religious leaders done to Tamil speaking Ceylonese/Sri Lankans?
      The truth is V Tamils who were the most privileged group at the time Sinhalayo gained independence and who dominated the public service due to ‘Divide and Rule’ policy of British discriminated indigenous Sinhalayo in jobs and giving loans to Sinhala entrepreneurs.
      Separatist Tamil politicians in Yapanaya who passed Vaddukkodai Resolution that contains a fabricated history of Sinhale to justify their demand for a separate State, declared war against the Government of Sri Lanka and Sinhala Nation and massacred Sinhala Buddhists for three decades committing war crimes and crimes against humanity to grab land belong to Sinhalayo in NE to create a separate State for Tamils in Yapanaya did enormous harm to indigenous Sinhala Buddhists who accommodated Tamil in their country.

      • 1
        2

        Non sense, ad nauseum!
        Nothing like that happened, 6.9 million, made the looters legitimate by re-electing to make us Bankrupt and stand with the BEGGING BOWL

    • 1
      0

      Naman,
      “Why is KP, Pillayan and Karuna are being treated differently?”
      Simple Mr Wilson!!
      The illegal and ill-found wealth is now mostly part of ‘Paksha’ Fund!!!
      They are ones and homogenous team of looting and robbing!!

  • 8
    2

    I had a quick look at the world Bank report on Total reserves which includes gold & current US$) since 1960 to 2020. I would like to consider the period between 2009 until 2022 because we need to understand the impact of end of war and total reserves.
    In 2007 – 3.52 billion $; 2008 – 2.62b$; 2009 – 5.35b$; 2010 – 7.2b$; 2011- 6.74b$; 2014 – 8.21b$; 2015 – 7.3b$;
    2016 – 6.01b$; 2017 – 7.96b$; 2018 – 6.92b$, 2019 -7.6b$ 2020 – 5.66b$; 2022 – 1 b$ (?).
    End of the War in 2009 gave Sri Lanka an opportunity to increase the total reserves and it did so until 2019. So what changed since 2019? We had a new President, new parliament, new policies, new powers, new amendments along with Easter Bombing, Corona and Ukraine invasion of Russia etc. all of which contributed to the deterioration of economy, deterioration of foregin reserve but increase of debts, increase of poverty, increase of prices, increase of power cuts, increase of ques, increase of deaths, increase of shortage,increase of begging etc.
    What is the solution? People found that mismanagement of funds and misuse of power. So, People wants change of management and change of power and change of policies. Unfortunately, the constitution is the barrier. Management is not willing to move. So it is in the hands of people to get rid of the management.

    • 1
      2

      Be fair.
      2020 and 2021 were years when major sources of foreign earnings suffered owing to the global panic over the ‘pandemic’. Even foreign remittances were affected, a were exports, like garments.
      The crisis was compounded by the economic impact of the lock-downs about which no political party objected.
      Blame the government exclusively for the cock-up with the fertilizer ban and other irresponsible acts.
      Import of luxury items continued under both governments. Tax concessions were a bad move by this government.
      It was a crisis that was brewing thanks the the ‘open economy’ and the escalation of war.
      *
      I agree on being rid of the government, but will a government that will resolve the crisis follow?
      Not by the sign of things.

      • 2
        1

        SJ,
        You always try to defend Gota & Mahinda family to put the blame on others and open economy. I have already included Corona as one of the factor but you purposefully omitted the impact of “Easter Bombing”. The fact is impact of Corona was minimal to Sri Lanka compared to many other countries. You always omit the corruption of Rajapaksa regime and Buddhist Sinhala Fundamentalism. You may say what about Tamils, what about LTTE to defend Sinhala Buddist Fundamentalist ruling regime but that is irrelevance to the governance of the country.

        • 0
          0

          (Part III)
          This was not forthcoming from the most potent and powerful personality, elected by the 6.9 million people, whom the incumbent claims he still continues to have the support of!!! DOUBTFUL CLAIM!!
          That support base has been decimated since November 2021, and no doubt as to that!!
          MISTAKE, IRESPECTIVE OF WHO COMMITTED, IS A MISTAKE – VOTER, PRESIDENT, PM, CABINET, MP! Irrespective of their standing or votes cast at last election, 36 months ago!! Suffering galore, due to total and utter mismanagement, who didn’t seem to have a clue as to governance??!!
          Sri Lankans want correction of this situation forthwith, not 2 years later, as ELECTION ITSELF IS ADMISSIBLY ERRONEOUS by confused electorate by misinformation, such as vistas of prosperity and splendour in the offing, which has turned out to be Mirage!?
          FAILED PRESIDENCY OR NOT IS A MOOT POINT – NOT RELEVANT TO THE COUNTRY – except to the incumbent!! SELFISHNESS, to say the least!!!
          Absolute absence of rectitude on the part of the President and CONVICTION OF MIND TO SERVE THE PEOPLE TO BE FOREMOST, THAN SELF!!

      • 1
        0

        (Part I)
        SJ,
        Good morning.
        “Import of luxury items continued under both governments. Tax concessions were a bad move by this government.
        It was a crisis that was brewing thanks to the ‘open economy’ and the escalation of war.”
        No way, one could be dismissive as, ‘Tax concession was a bad move’!! It was the base cause of massive revenue loss, causing irreparable damage to the local economy!
        This led to printing of ‘Money’ to feed the gap in the “local” economy dearth of Rupees – basic reason, if not exclusively – but collaterally and mainly to steep depreciation of Sri Lanka Rs from 200+ to 350+ against the USD!! Causing prevalent inflation at 50% inflicting pain to Public!!!
        Follows one another and cannot be dismissed lightly as “BAD MOVE”, but as, CATASTROPHIC!!!
        SP of SJB would have termed as “Cataclysmic” and beginning of the “Armageddon”, if I am permitted to repeat his verbology??!!
        Ofcourse the non-repatriation of USD by foreign workers and exporters, (due ‘pegging’ and ‘monkeying’ of the USD rate!) the other, that again alertness could have been remediated in time!!
        So culpability rests with the government and their governance!! Without an iota of doubt!

      • 1
        0

        (Part II)
        As in the case of, USD rate, tax concession, the GOSL should have monitored the situation closely –not by the day, but by the hour and ensured corrective action!!!
        SLEEPING AND DEEP SLUMBER IN THE NAVIGATION OF THE NATION STATE!! A Great responsibility not to be dismissed lightly??!! The poor masses are suffering due to someone deciding go “Off Duty”, while at the Helm!!!
        Reminds me of the captain of the Titanic!!!???
        No wonder the result was the agony, despair disaster, very similar, if not identical to the Titanic!!??
        If one cannot or not interested as HoS, HoG are not interested, unable because of lack of knowledge, or will, even if elected by 6.9 million SL voters in November 2019,atleast for the sake of the suffering public, ‘should have thrown in the towel’ – so to say, enabling a more capable Sri Lankan to do the job efficiently?!!
        Why Not?? That also proves that the 6.9 million voters, whether they were Sinhala Buddhists, Sinhala Catholics, Sinhala Muslims, Tamil Christians, Tamil Hindus, Tamil Muslims, Burghers, Malays, Moors have erred in their JUDGEMENT in electing the President and government and an IMMEDIATE COURSE CORRECTION IS NECESSARY??!!

      • 1
        0

        (Part III)
        This was not forthcoming from the most potent and powerful personality, elected by the 6.9 million people, whom the incumbent claims he still continues to have the support of!!! DOUBTFUL CLAIM!!
        That support base has been decimated since November 2021, and no doubt as to that!!
        MISTAKE, IRESPECTIVE OF WHO COMMITTED, IS A MISTAKE – VOTER, PRESIDENT, PM, CABINET, MP! Irrespective of their standing or votes cast at last election, 36 months ago!! Suffering galore, due to total and utter mismanagement, who didn’t seem to have a clue as to governance??!!
        Sri Lankans want correction of this situation forthwith, not 2 years later, as ELECTION ITSELF IS ADMISSIBLY ERRONEOUS by confused electorate by misinformation, such as vistas of prosperity and splendour in the offing, which has turned out to be Mirage!?
        FAILED PRESIDENCY OR NOT IS A MOOT POINT – NOT RELEVANT TO THE COUNTRY – except to the incumbent!! SELFISHNESS, to say the least!!!
        Absolute absence of rectitude on the part of the President and CONVICTION OF MIND TO SERVE THE PEOPLE TO BE FOREMOST, THAN SELF!!

  • 1
    1

    Crisis Deepens Without Rescue Plan
    —————-
    Actually no!
    What you are seeing going on in Sri Lanka, is the classic Hegelian dialectic at play.
    Problem – Reaction – Solution
    All stage managed theatre by the freakmasons.

  • 8
    1

    As universal suffering intensifies and public anger and anguish approach breaking point what needs to happen is obvious.. There is only one way to forestall the coming conflagration. Having plunged the country into chaos and total bankruptcy, every single member of the present corrupt, criminal and incompetent SLPP/SLFP government with its President and Prime Minister must concede failure and step down from power immediately. Rotters who have been part of the problem cannot be part of the solution. All they can do is relinquish power and momentarily stand aside as a critical opposition.

    Their total abdication will pave the way for the joint opposition parties to form an outstanding Temporary Emergency Minority Administration (TEMA), bringing together an elite group of intelligent, competent, dedicated individuals of high integrity, with whom the IMFand other global powers can have a meaningful and productive relationship. Those who would comprise such a group is self evident.

    Such a radical political transformation might conceivably lower the temperature in the streets, give millions of enraged protestors a sense that their voice is being heard, help stabilise the economy, provide emergency relief to the worst affected, restore the confidence of creditors, evoke the compassion of the wider world, create a measure of civil peace and help mark time until conditions allow elections in about 12 months time. There is no other way.

    • 0
      0

      Prof. ANIE, Yes, elections must come soon. People must have choices regularly, even every 2 years, to get rid of the eggs when they start rotting. 4-5 years is too long a wait. Constitution must say every 2 years to cast votes without spending money on electioneering, and lying to the masses. In UK, we simply stopped at nearby school, cast the vote, no expense, went to work. The elected immediately did the needful, not lazy or wasting time to make plans to rob nation.

  • 10
    2

    I read that Achige Patali Champika Ranawaka( What a strange name . The Ge name Achi ( usually a Nair caste man’s wife is called by that title, denotes a Kerala ancestry. Patali or Paattali mean a proletariat in Tamil denoting a working-class origin. May be used in Malayalam too a daughter language of Tamil, that fully broke away from proper Tamil, a few centuries ago. ) a right-wing racist Sinhalese politician, has given an interview for a newspaper, inviting the Tamil diaspora to come back and invest in whole the country, however, just investing in the poor war-torn north and east of the country or asking for federal or any rights for the Tamils there, will not be permitted. Why does he think the Tamil diaspora are silly and stupid?

    • 10
      2

      They or their parents were forced to leave the country due to state-sponsored Sinhalese racism, violence and marginalization against them, most of it deliberately planned so that Tamils were forced to leave the island, in large numbers in order to reduce their population. Most Sinhalese rejoiced and supported this move and were even poking fun at the fleeing Tamils, little knowing, that it will soon be their own turn to try to flee in numbers, ( you reap what you sow). Now 90% of these Tamils who had fled to the west have done very well and the Sinhalese who were poking fun at them and were rejoicing when they left, want them to return and invest to save the Sinhalese living on the island, from economic peril and starvation but are still laying down racist conditions, not to demand just Tamil rights or federalism for the north and east and their investments should be mainly in the Sinhalese areas and not confined to poor war-torn Tamil areas of the north east.

      • 10
        2

        Why are the north and east of the island another alien land? Investment in any part of the county will benefit anyone. Especially in the poor poverty-stricken Tamil areas. However, they do not want this. You chase someone away from the country or force them to leave, rejoiced in this, now want them to return and save you but not save their own starving kith and kin or demand their just rights. Shows the mindset of most Sinhalese. When will they learn that they sowed the seed of their downfall of the island, from the time of independence by electing Sinhalese racists who implemented racist policies, marginalizing and discriminating against the island’s Tamils, promoting Sinhalese only and Sinhalese Buddhist Fascism, that was even supported by many Sinhalese Christian clergies, resulting in a 30-year-old war, where even after that continued their triumphalistic racist ways by electing even more racist hardliners and swindlers, many accused of war crimes.

        • 2
          8

          Rohan25. You have a great opportunity to set up your own state.

          • 5
            2

            Good. Now you and the most Chingkallams have a great opportunity to mend your evil wayward ways and redeem your selves of your racist Chingkalla Buddhist-only Fascist ideology and save the island from ruin. Last chance. Instead of posting snide sarcastic remarks to others pointing out the hard truth, thinking you are some sort of wit.

        • 1
          10

          Rohan25,
          “…marginalizing and discriminating against the island’s Tamils, promoting Sinhalese only and Sinhalese Buddhist Fascism,…”
          —-
          Bombarding the same old lies used to get the sympathy of the International Community to the demand for a separate State for Tamils in Yapanaya based on a bogus claim ‘Traditional Homeland’.
          Do you know that separatism was in the agenda of Tamil politicians in Yapanaya in 1930s while Sinhale was ruled by British? At that time, there was no ‘Sinhala Only’.
          The first racist separatist political party ‘Illankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi’ (toned down as Federal Party in English but the real meaning was Tamil State Party) was formed by SJV Chelvanayakam in 1949 which had as its hidden agenda the establishment of a separate state for Tamils in Yapanaya grabbing Sinhala land in NE. At that time, there was no ‘Sinhala Only’.
          Sinhala only policy had a negative impact only on English educated V Tamils in Yapanaya who are less than 1% of the total Tamil population in Sinhale.

          • 5
            2

            TUCO Eagle Eye

            From which part of South India did your ancestors originated?
            Am I right in saying your ancestors came to this island as mercenaries escorting Trade Guilds? If not as labourers recruited to work in the early coffee plantations.
            I am not ashamed of calling myself Vedda. So should you and call yourself by your Thamil Nadu caste name and be proud about it.

          • 4
            2

            EE,
            “Sinhala only policy had a negative impact only on English educated V Tamils in Yapanaya who are less than 1% of the total Tamil population in Sinhale.”
            Convoluting the percentage of Tamils educated in English, which was more than 1%, because of the Missionary and Catholic schools prevalent in Jaffna Peninsula, Mannar, Trincomalee and Batticaloa, which Buddhists, loathed and prevented, if not, prevailed upon by protests, English education flourishing in the South, which was late realisation and dismay, negative effect on them???
            SJV started the Tamil Arasu Kachchi (FP) in 1930’s and because of divisive politics of the time did not effectively pursue the mission like Jinnah and Pakistan – Sri Lanka’s adored friendly state!!??
            Alas, if that happened, by chance, Northerners and the Yapanaya would have lost out on all erstwhile, good hearted friends of Southern Sri Lanka!!
            Starters, not have Keerimalai, Nagadeepa, for paying tribute, homage or visits!!
            Consider indeed good, did not happen, though it may have avoided, 1956. 1958. 1977, 1983 and the 30 year war and saved some USD in the process??
            Anyway, War ended, LEADERS found extravagant ill-advised projects, facilitating VIP robbing and looting, end up Bankrupt, Despair and Doom with Begging Bowl??!!

      • 1
        12

        Rohan25,
        “…most of it deliberately planned so that Tamils were forced to leave the island,…”

        It was deliberately planned by Anton Balasingham in order to give the impression to the International Community that Tamils are fleeing Sri Lanka because they are been marginalized by Sinhala Buddhist majority so that LTTE can get the sympathy of the International Community for their terrorist campaign to create a separate State for Tamils and collect money from those who went to ‘Greener Pastures’ to purchase arms and ammunition to continue the war against the Government of Sri Lanka and Sinhala Buddhists.

        • 4
          2

          TUCO Eagle Eye

          “……………………… nternational Community that Tamils are fleeing Sri Lanka because they are been marginalized by Sinhala Buddhist majority ……………………………”

          Unlike the 6.9, the International Community is not that stupid.
          Pathetic.
          Go read Wiki Leaks on Sri Lanka, you might find your name among ***** carriers to the clan and Sangha.

        • 5
          2

          Eagle Thaatha come on give us a rest. Chill. We are tired of reading the same rubbish and lies over and over again. Think of something more interesting and nice. Spread love not hate. Why is the food at the old people’s home not to your liking? Or is your Thamizh wife not cooking and bringing you any nice Jaffna Urid Dhal ( Ulundu) Thosai? Here is something soothing for you to listen to. Hope this will make you happy and calm your disturbed soul.

          https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWxGhq_lBII

      • 8
        2

        Rohan25,
        Sri Lankas ruling Sinhala Buddist Fundamentalists are happy to beg from every other nations including TamilNadu, India but they are not bothered about their own bloods are dying of poverty and hunger. Their politics fully rely on racism, buddhist fundamentalism and oppression of other communities of Sri Lankan origins. Even now you can see while the Sinhalese people are dying and crying people like “Paatali” wants to keep those murders and robbers in power to keep their fundamentalism.
        The economic problem are common to both Tamils and Sinhalese but the impact of current crisis is very high among Sinhalese because the ruling regime kept ordinary Sinhalese under dark and they sucked the blood and made them not to improve their economic ststus.

    • 1
      4

      Rohan25

      “Why does he think the Tamil diaspora are silly and stupid?”

      They are silly, very stupid, didn’t care for other people’s life otherwise they would not have supported VP the psychopath for nearly twenty years, addressing him as Right Honourable (May Thahu) promoting him to National Leader (Thesiath Thalaivar), chanting “Our Leader Prabaharan), never questioning his madness, justifying his mistakes, blunders, killings, deploying under aged children in war, suicide bombing, waving ugly flag and holding VP’s photo, …………………. now keeping quiet as if nothing has happened, …..

      • 5
        1

        Actually, the LTTE was running a lot of businesses in the west through various fronts and this is now most of their money was collected. Now that the LTTE is dead and gone, many of these people who were running these businesses as a front for the LTTE, have become very rich overnight millionaires, as these businesses
        and the ones who running around waving flags and promoting him largely came from the part of the diaspora who

        • 5
          1

          Sorry as these businesses and money have now become theirs. The ones waving flags, and largely promoting him were from the very recently arrived boat or other asylum seekers, who are from the same background or the close relatives of the very same people or part of the population from which the LTTE recruited their soldiers. The backbone of the LTTE support back home. Not from the part of the diaspora that arrived much earlier or the professional classes The Tamils who migrated or arrived as refugees to the west in the early 80s 90s were largely English-educated, middle and upper-middle-class professionals and they were welcomed by the west. The later arrivals who fled the island on boats or by land and boats were largely from poorer peasant classes, the backbone of the LTTE struggle. Their knowledge of English was poor and many of them migrated and obtained refuge in non-English speaking western nations, like France, and Germany. Even these people did well. It is they who were the backbone of the LTTE support in the west and ran many of the LTTE-funded businesses. whilst the educated professional classes were more the armchair supporters from the comfort of their homes.

          • 5
            1

            Remember due to the racism and intransigence of all Sri Lankan governments with regard to Tamil rights. most Tamils had no other choice other than to support the LTTE, actively or passively, as there was no other alternative or viable choice, despite knowing its shortcomings. They knew the Sinhalese were never genuine and this has been proven correct. They promised the world once the so-called intransigent LTTE was defeated just Tamil rights and a federal solution, will be granted, which the Tamils knew from past experience was an outright lie and this has been proven correct. Now the Tamil people’s position is even worse after the death of the LTTE. What is now stopping the Sinhalese and the Sri Lankan state from doing the right thing to the Tamils, as well as to the Muslim Tamils? Have you thought about this and have an answer instead of constantly blaming the victim? It is very easy to blame the victim and not the powerful oppressor.

      • 2
        1

        Native Vedda,
        When did you become Consultant Psychiatrist for Velupillai Prabaharan? What did you contribute to this country not to produce Pshchopaths in this country? What do you say about those who brought this country to this status? Do you know how many psychopaths were there before Prabaharan and after Prabhahran? Do you think that 10000 Sinhalese youth massacred in 1970 and 60000 Sinhalese masses in 1989 and Easter Bombing are coming from Prabaharan? The whole country including you and me are psychopaths contributed to all crimes and to the current status of this country. Can you tell any one who cared for people?

        • 1
          1

          Ajith

          Your typing shows you never read my comments. In the past I have addressed all your questions.

          Please refer back to all my comments over the past 9 years and prepare a summary, and keep it under your pillow. In case you when you get an itch, go back and read it. In my previous comments I identified three psychopaths out of the three only one is alive.

          Please go to bed as early as possible since you may find yourself a lot of my comments to read through.

    • 5
      2

      R25,
      https://www.thecompanycheck.com/people-profile/saiju-patali-sreedharan/01194460

      It seems lots of Patalis are still alive and well in Kerala.

      • 4
        1

        So are many Jayasundera, and Jayawardena in Kerala and parts of Tamil Nadu.

    • 1
      1

      R25,
      Morning.
      “Why does he think the Tamil diaspora are silly and stupid?”
      Silly, convoluted and stupid thinking of these people, who are a new denominations of SL??
      These are the new Super Brained of hyperinflation nation providing Misgovernance!!
      These ‘Super, Supra’ brains are so powerful, have led this Isle to ‘Pariah’ state!
      Starving for FDI but only “on their terms”?? Pride???
      They (government), ready and willing to give away 99 year lease to foreign countries!
      Sri Lankans would learn more foreign languages (Hindi, Urdu, Bengali, Chinese, Creole ad Nauseum) and notably our genetic pool, would expand, to arrive at better thinking power and outcomes perhaps!!
      I suppose, they may insist that all FDI confined to their choice locations!! Deep South!!
      Happiness and bliss are based on being contented! They want to select who is welcome to invest??
      Sure diaspora, would not lose out as they have other avenues of investment, good return than they may derive from Sri Lanka??
      One (Diaspora – Sinhala or Tamil – or not) should not coerce the GOSL and vice versa!!??
      Probably, suffering from ‘down syndrome’!!
      Best leave them to mind their business as they usually do well!!!?!
      Repeat 03/2022!!! COMOTOSE!
      Good luck Sri Lanka!!

  • 9
    2

    Unfortunately, Tamil leaders failed to secure proper save guard such as separate state or federal setup at the time colonial masters were leaving, even after seeing what Jinnah demanded. I think only a complete overhaul of the political, economic system with new progressive leadership and federal power sharing system to solve the root cause of the present crisis. Sadly, the majority community was ready to ignore, until very recently, all the wrong doing of their leaders as long as minority community is suppressed and marginalized.

  • 12
    1

    Them sinhalas are still mouthing the superiority of toiletless sinhala land vis a v tamil nadu while having their sinhala begging bowl replenished from tamil nadu. JOKERS!!!!!

    • 2
      2

      Gus,
      “Them Sinhala’s are still mouthing the superiority of toilet less Sinhala land vis a vis Tamilnadu while having their Sinhala begging bowl replenished from Tamilnadu.”
      BE SOFT ON THEM PLEASE!
      THEY DON’T KNOW WHAT HAS BECOME OF THEM AND WHAT IS HAPPENING AROUND THEM???
      They are in Transfix still, due to despair, shock, hunger and suffering of children Baby formula and fuel shortage, even take the ill, to hospital with endless queues??!!
      Sure, once they are well fed and recover, back to normal, they will understand and be grateful for the aid given by Tamilnadu!! Remember Mysore Dhal Syndrome (misunderstanding MASOOR Dhal – Red Split lentils) in 1987 and mass rejection!!??
      These people do think that all of China has individual toilets, where they shit and not in a commune Toilets feeding to wastelands or for convenience in the Rice fields!! Let alone, Bangladesh, Burma, Thailand and Pakistan!!!
      They eat their rice happily!!!
      What did Sri Lankans do before water sealed Cess pits arrived in SL??!!
      I have seen in Galle beachside, (Dadalla) early morning 5 am people shitting on the seashore and washing backs by the lapping waves???!!!
      Limited knowledge syndrome!!! They extrapolate and claim they are know-alls?!

  • 1
    3

    “Without going or listening to the IMF, the country depended mainly on China and sovereign bonds dubiously sold to questionable foreign institutions and speculators. Amounts were unbearable to the country. “
    The foreign debt breakdown (billions of USD) according to Department of External Resources (April 2021) (http://www.erd.gov.lk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=102&Itemid=308&lang=en)
    Market borrowings: 16.4 (47%)
    ADB: 4.42 (13%)
    China: 3.38 (10%)
    Japan: 3.36 (10%)
    World Bank: 3.23 (9.9%)
    India: 0.86 (2%)
    Other: (8%)
    The country sought private sector lenders in a big way in 2006.
    The financial crisis was brewing for over a decade with International Sovereign Bonds (ISB) — or market borrowing — dominating the foreign debt. For four of those years the country was ruled by a UNP-led alliance. Did the government approach the IMF? It instead transferred 80% of Hambantota Harbour shares to China not to settle Chinese loans but dues of other borrowings. Who advised to do something so daft? The harbour is now a money spinner.
    *
    So, how and when did the country snub IMF to depend ‘mainly on China’? Chinese lending was mainly for development projects. Does IMF protest infrastructure development?
    *
    I will recommend that the author looks at: “https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2021/02/china-debt-trap-diplomacy/617953/” before repeating media spins on the country’s debt crisis.

    • 2
      0

      SJ,
      You have produced the latest foregindebt . Do you have the foregin debt breakdown from 2010 for Sri Lanka? I understand the external debt increased sharply from 11.5 billion US$ from 2006 to the level of 56.5Billion $ in 2021. Do you know the interest rates and maturity period paid to China’s loan compared to loans from Japan and World Bank? Do you know what is the cost of Hambantota Harbour, Hambantota airport and Hambantota cricket stadium and returns from those investments? I hope you must have all this information and explanations to enlight people to get clear understanding.

  • 2
    18

    Civil war and brain drain are what really led to the present situation. Those who caused the civil war – the British and Tamil diaspora – should be held liable. First of all, the British should grant every Sri Lankan born after 1948, excluding members of the Tamil diaspora, dual-citizenship. Secondly, they should pay compensation to the Sri Lankan government for their divide-and-rule policies that led directly to the civil war. Thirdly, all members of the Tamil diaspora who funded the LTTE should have their passports revoked, similar to Muslims in the EU who went to Syria to fight for ISIS.Their assets frozen and liquidated. Regarding Tamils in Sri Lanka, they cannot be held liable. They are victims of their own stupidity for listening to the Diaspora and have already paid the price. If these measures are implemented in full, Sri Lanka can recover quickly.

    • 2
      6

      This comment was removed by a moderator because it didn’t abide by our Comment policy.

      For more detail see our Comment policy https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/comments-policy-2

    • 5
      1

      Yes, blame everyone else other than the actual people who caused all this. All ruling Sinhalese-led governments from the time of independence, the Sinhalese people were largely brainwashed by the Mahvamsa mindset and constantly voted for racists and swindlers, who promised to marginalize the island’s Tamils. It was their racist Sinhalese Buddhist-only policy and their deliberate discrimination, marginalization of the island’s Tamil population, and constant violence against them that led to the war, brain drain of educated and large-scale migration of not only Tamils but even Burghers and many others. The British left the island in 1948, with a sound economy. They may have practised divide and rule but not to the extent all Sinhalese-led governments, that followed after them since 1948 and created this economic downfall and all this mess. It is the Tamils who should claim compensation from the British and the Sri Lankan state for what happened to them since 1948, as the British handed the island to the Sinhalese, the majority with no adequate protection for the island’s Tamils. The Sinhalese and al Sinhalese-led governments created all this mess through their racism and still trying to blame the Tamils.

    • 3
      1

      Disgusting. Are you for real? The British left in 1948 and since then it has been the Sinhalese who had ruled the island practising divide and rule and taking it to an art form. The victims and targets of this divide and rule are primarily the Island’s Tamils, who are forced to flee or retaliate. Now trying to blame the victims instead of the oppressors who caused all these problems.

    • 4
      1

      I find this comment very offensive and racist and am surprised how you are able to post such nasty racist offensive comments, without them being deleted or not being allowed. Blaming everyone else and wanting them to be penalised , other than the people who actually messed up everything from the time of independence, is the biggest joke. You and most Sinhalese should go and look at yourselves in the mirror to see, who is actually to blame for this mess. Britain has no obligation to grant dual citizenship to anyone in Sri Lanka, as they did not cause this mess and when they left the island in 1948, the economy was in good shape and the island was then a thriving multi ethnic and multi religious society.

      • 4
        1

        The British did divide and rule but it was the divide and rule policies of all Sinhalese-led governments, since 1948, favouring only the Sinhalese and the Buddhist religion and their discriminatory policies towards the minorities, especially the Tamils, that is the main cause of all this. Be brave and learn to admit this truth, instead of constantly posting very offensive comments against the Tamils.

      • 0
        1

        Siva Sankaran aka Rohan aka Pandi Kutti aka Gus aka Ed (new edition)

        “Britain has no obligation to grant dual citizenship to anyone in Sri Lanka, as they did not cause this mess”

        Britain is 98% responsible for this mess, not only in Sri Lanka, but most of the developing world. In Sri Lanka, they introduced a fake political system and gave privileges to a minority, while suppressing the rights and religion of the 90% majority. They also plundered the natural resources of the “colonies” and exploited the labour of the native workers to facilitate industrialization in their own country.

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    TUCO Eagle Eye

    From which part of South India did your ancestors originate?
    Am I right in saying your ancestors came to this island as mercenaries escorting Trade Guilds? If not as labourers recruited to work in the early coffee plantations.
    I am not ashamed of calling myself Vedda. So should you and call yourself by your Thamil Nadu caste name and be proud about it.

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    This is a very good article with regards to the current situation and crisis in Sri Lanka and the boat arrivals from the Guardian. Moderator, please allow this, as I feel the readers should read this. Thanks.

    https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/jun/26/screened-out-before-arrival-questions-over-legality-of-australias-at-sea-asylum-seeker-rulings

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    Dr. LF, The only rescue plan comes from the creator’s purpose as no man can rescue the world with intellect. Its only through spiritual restoration from obedience to the creator. Unknown to many, the last book of the bible reveals 21 judgments on karmic sin, in a progression to allow humans to return to their maker. No other New world order or a human reset will work as the job includes the whole universe and planets and galaxies.

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