8 October, 2024

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Interim Budget 2022: Transformation Of The Economic Direction Of The Country

By Harsha Gunasena

Harsha Gunasena

President Ranil Wickremesinghe in the capacity of the Minister of Finance presented the interim budget 2022 to the parliament recently. According to this budget proposals the economic direction of the country would be transformed in the sense the government would reduce its involvement in economic activities and would focus more on regulation.

The governments of Sri Lanka have, from time to time, changed the economic direction of the country and in some instances, it was a 180-degree reverse affecting the economy of the country. Now it is an essential decision change this direction since the economy of the country has fallen due to the imprudent economic direction the country followed.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe

This change is not in line with the political ideology of the Podujana Peramuna. However, they have taken practical decisions against their political ideology. Basil Rajapaksa presenting the 2022 budget to the parliament told that there were around 300 government enterprises and the government invested around Rs. 670 Billion. The government pumps annually around Rs. 75 Million to maintain those enterprises. He suggested efficient management to reduce this waste.

Profits can be improved by efficient management. Temasek Holdings owned by the government of Singapore is one such organization.  In Sri Lankan political culture, which is a subset of a larger Sri Lankan social culture, a friend or a relative is selected over the qualified and the competent. The Singaporean Prime Minister changed this social and political culture forcibly.

The JVP is of the view and emphasizes that the political culture of Sri Lanka should be changed. Yes, it should be changed. Not only that, the social culture also should be changed as did by Lee Kuan Yew. 

If the government can be smaller and focuses on regulation it would have a positive impact on reduction of the budget deficit which is a burning issue. Following is an incident where the dominant ideology of the country, that treating the known well over the natural justice and keeping the business entities in the possession of the government irrespective of the results, is upheld.

When Mahinda Rajapaksa was the president, SriLankan Airlines which was managed profitably by Emirates at that time, was requested to offload 30 passengers who have paid for their tickets and confirmed the passage in order to accommodate the president and his party who were not on official visit. Naturally the request was not accommodated. In retaliation the then president cancelled the resident visa of the Head of Emirates in Sri Lanka, whose wife was a Sri Lankan, and taken steps to take back SriLankan Airlines. The airline is in the front among the loss-making government entities and the losses are compensated even by the people who have never visited the airport.

The president identified in the budget speech that SriLankan Airlines, Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) and Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) were the prime institutions for restructuring. Stated capital, reserves and accumulated profit of Sri Lankan Airlines as at 31 March 2021 was Rs. 281 Billion negative and the loss for the same year was Rs. 45 Billion. Recently privatized Indian national carrier Air India was a much bigger company with much bigger losses.

The restructuring process of CEB and CPC was already started. Electricity and fuel prices were increased and brought to the level where there were no subsidies. Therefore, there should be a reduction of prices paid by the consumer.

It was proposed that 20% of the shares of Bank of Ceylon and Peoples Bank to be offered to the depositors and the employees. The main reason was that to improve the liquidity of those banks and the government was unable to do so. Parliamentarian Champika Ranawaka said that there was no point of going ahead with this proposal keeping the officials who released large sums of money to politicians including the present parliamentarians paving way to provide those loans as bad debts. In addition to that these banks were used to pump funds to the government institutions which were making huge losses.

In fact, there will not be a big change by providing 20% of the capital to the depositors and the employees but this will be the starting point of the restructure. This will be the start of the breaking of the ideology that the ownership of the state institutions which make profits should be kept with the state.

Around 50% of the ownership of these banks together with the management should be privatized. These two banks account for around 35% of the market share. Other private banks are in the shade of these two banks. All of them need a stimulation. 

In this country where these government banks, private banks, rural banks and regional development banks are in operation an entrepreneur with a good business plan finds difficult to solicit a loan without a security to be offered. Giving loans with securities is not a difficult task since unconsciously detailed study is reduced to the level of reduced risk. Giving loans without security is a difficult task since there are persons who obtain loans with the intention of not to pay. Small entrepreneurs accounts for 52% of the gross domestic production of this country. The economy of the country cannot be upheld without giving a helping hand to these entrepreneurs.

Sampath Bank came to the market in 1986 and introduced technology to the industry. They installed first ATM machine out of which the customers and the bank were benefitted. After that the banking industry followed that path and it has awakened the industry. 

I believe that connecting the private sector to the state banks would change the backward banking culture of this country. This change would also influence the family businesses of this country to abandon some of their foolish practices. 

The president should establish without delay an institution which provides initial capital to the small businesses. Once the business is stable this capital could be recovered. These are the tasks to be done with great effort. A country cannot be transformed without engaging in this type of tasks.

Value added tax (VAT) has been increased from 12% to 15%. VAT at the time of previous yahapalana government also was 15%. Gotabaya Rajapaksa government in December 2019 reduced it to 8%. Along with that there were reductions of many taxes including income tax, and this was a cause   for the present economic crisis. Ranil Wickremesinghe increased VAT in May this year to 12% and he increased it further and brought it to the previous level.

Due to the increased cost of living as a result of the unprecedented inflationary trend, it is hard for the people to bear this. But it is not correct to say that only the VAT which is affecting ordinary people was increased. In the budget speech it was mentioned that the tax increases announced in May this year would be effective from 1st October 2022.

Accordingly, tax exempt limit of Rs. 3.0 Mn for personal taxes was reduced to Rs. 1.8 Mn. This was previously at the level of Rs. 1.2 Mn and it was increased to Rs. 3 Mn level in January 2020. Personal tax rates also will be increased. Accordingly, the existing tax brackets, where first Rs. 3 Mn is taxed at 6%, second Rs. 3 Mn is taxed at 12% and the rest is taxed at 18%, will be changed to seven brackets comprising of Rs. 1.2 Mn each which will be taxed from increasing rates of 4% to 28%. The rest which is over Rs. 8.4 Mn will be taxed at 32%.

This is taxing the people who can pay. Also, it was proposed that all the citizens who are over 18 years of age should open a tax file. This is a good proposal, but it would face obstacles when implementing. The task of the Inland Revenue Department will be eased if the data bases of various departments of the government are amalgamated with giving more recognition to the information technologists. 

The president has allocated a considerable portion of his speech for the concessions to the people who would be affected due to the economic catastrophe. Prevalent inflationary trend caused many difficulties to the fixed income earners. Subsidies enjoyed by the rich as well as the poor are being withdrawn. Therefore, it is the duty of the government to support the real persons who are affected. It was proposed to give direct cash transfers to their accounts.

After all these proposals the budget deficit is Rs. 2.3 trillion. The deficit of the Budget 2022 presented by Basil Rajapaksa was Rs. 1.6 trillion. Deficit was increased. Since several months of the year was passed the credibility of the figures is increased. The country will get the benefits of these budget proposals and the change of the direction of the economy in the future.

Latest comments

  • 7
    9

    “…in some instances, it was a 180-degree reverse affecting the economy of the country.”
    We suffered a serious 180 degree turn in 1978 and economic policy has not been reversed since.
    *
    “…imprudent economic direction the country followed”? Can we be specific?
    We borrowed a lot of money from different lenders. Where specifically did each borrowing go?
    Big borrowing from private lenders began during the war and account for half of all foreign debt.
    Why are we not talking of the ever rising consumption of non-essentials, and its impact on balance of payments?
    *
    “The restructuring process of CEB and CPC was already started. Electricity and fuel prices were increased”
    Do not the massive devaluation and rise in global fuel prices have a role in price increases?
    The deplorable aspect is that the electricity price subsidy for small users is gone. Only that points to a policy change– not the suggested 180 degrees (or 360 degrees as the Maharajah TV network will have it).
    Restructuring is a separate matter altogether, and in line with the JRJ policies.
    *
    BTW
    Why should two well performing banks be privatized to let some private bankers get rich?
    This obsession with privitisation has cost the country a lot.
    The serious woes concern planning and management.

    • 10
      2

      SJ,
      Just because an enterprise is making profit , it does not mean that it is being run efficiently, effectively and economically.

      Still there may be mismanagement and inefficient use of resources and low productivity.
      All these parameters could still be improved and benefit to the society maximized.

      Profitability may not be the sole yardstick.

      Each enterprise should be studied thoroughly by competent independent experts and the benefit to the people should be the solitary yardstick.

      • 5
        7

        Do you say that there is a need to privatise the two leading banks?
        They are as well (if not better) managed than any private sector rival.
        The issue is the obsession with privatization. Cannot wee learn something from the UK?

    • 11
      1

      SJ,
      “or 360 degrees as the Maharajah TV network will have it).”
      I believe geometry (and a few more inconsequential things like objectivity) isn’t compulsory for journalists.

      • 8
        1

        old codger

        Don’t we have any eligible candidate to replace G L as Chairman of the SLPP? Why does SLPP want Mahinda to fill that vacancy if and when it arises? Talk of the town is that Gota wants to return back, enter parliament, ……serve the country.

        Do these brothers really trust Ranil rather than the people?

        I think I should take rest.

        Can you not send both a note explaining what exactly the phrase “Gracefully aging” means in real world?
        Nimal Fernando is desperate to get rid of them hence he is looking for a Sinhala Prabaharan.

        • 7
          0

          Native , The very first thing mentioned in IMF staff report is
          CORRUPTION. We understand because of an audit, Rajapaksas were reluctant to approach IMF . Why is Vasudeva reluctant?? Retard LJ thought corruption was not a cause for bankruptcy. Another thought IMF is a charity organization signing blank checks without questions.

          • 5
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            Native where is our Jester, ??? hope he is not hit by a runaway train.

            • 3
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              Chiv,
              “Native where is our Jester, ??? hope he is not hit by a runaway train”
              No, no such luck. I hear the sewage works has put him on night shift. Or is it night s.it?

            • 3
              0

              chiv

              Jester is waiting in the bushes, or sitting on the wall.
              He could not decide whether to support Ranil or Gota.
              Now that the single handed hero(?) is back from his three country fact finding mission, Jester may be embolden to stick his head out and … carry Gota’s …..

              Don’t you thing it is more than enough for Jester to stew in his own humiliation?

            • 3
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              Who knows? May be Karma did something for him and Eagle Eye. And the man who made ” patta pal hora” of the nation (Mahinda Rajapakshe)a king / is still in comma / I mean that Jackson Anthony 🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔

          • 1
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            Like Helping Hambantota Fund, origin of Tsunami Funds in December 2004?? Have a Hope??!!

            • 2
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              So called independent judiciary is silent if Rajapakshes did anything. At least now UN should be aware that srilankens cant rely on their own judiciary. If they would closely study it how Gota s 2.5 year rule acquitted the cases of Badi/ Aluthgamage/ wimal Buruwanse/ Gothadipila/ and…..nothing more would be to put Gota in jail. .
              May divine forces be powerful to put all these Thakkadiyo be jailed for their rest of life/ then only we can think of a start of a new era🐕😉😐🐕😉😐🐕😉😐

        • 5
          0

          Native,
          “Do these brothers really trust Ranil rather than the people?”
          They do trust the people to vote at least some of them in next time. The people haven’t changed much. Listen to Sarath Fonseka to get an idea of the problem.

          • 8
            0

            old codger

            I have listening to his rant as much as I can. In essence what us he wants from protesting and from protesters?

            By the way his partner in mass killing between 1987 and 1991 and after until 2009 has returned a warm welcome given by his b***s carriers at the airport. What is going to happened to the member of airport staff who refused to allow his exit from the airport?

            Do you think SJ will be happy now that Gota has returned and soon good old days of shortages for everything (including functioning human brains) similar to the Siri Mao’s glorious rule between 1970 and 1977?

      • 5
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        old codger

        Please watch this clip, its lot of fun:
        The Weaponisation of Labour Antisemitism | David Graeber
        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6oOj7BzciA&t=45s

        Hope some dump asses in this forum would learn from it

          • 7
            0

            Native,
            “Do you think SJ will be happy now that Gota has returned and soon good old days of shortages for everything…”
            I don’t know about SJ, but I am not happy. I suppose Gota has to be free to return, because nobody else wants him. But I draw the line at him taking revenge on his opponents or trying to come back to power. I don’t think Ranil is going to clap him in jail, because his own survival depends on the Pohottuwa.
            We’ll wait and see.

            • 0
              4

              OC
              The glass ball has been giving trouble of late and now he is counting on you.
              Say something and put him out of his misery.

    • 5
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      SJ- Thanks.
      “180-degree reverse”
      Yes. in 1978 and in 1956 and particularly in 1970. We were swinging this way and that way.
      After 1978 also there were changes although not 180 degrees, in 2005
      “Imprudent economic direction the country followed”
      This is the continuous budget deficits and lack of focus to exports-oriented policy which created current account deficits. Borrowings were used for consumption. Investments also did not provide adequate returns. i.e. Mahinda Rajapaksa era investments. Finally, it was triggered due to the wrong policy decisions of GR.
      “CEB and CPC”
      Yes, Rupee depreciation contributed. But the point I raised was that not there is no subsidy included in the price.
      Restructuring, no subsidies for all, and identifying the vulnerable people and help them direct is the policy change.
      Banks.
      Banks are making profits. My point here is different which I have explained in the article. For instance the objectives Illangarathne had when establishing Peoples Bank are not the objectives the bank is having now. We need a fresh start to the Banking industry. Among the top 20 companies there are quite a number of banks, instead export companies should be there. I am not against the banks. I am for the country.

      • 5
        4

        Sorry,
        We had not swung significantly before 1978.
        1956 marked freeing the country from foreign domination. I hope that you are not an advocate of continued colonial control of our harbours and foreign naval and air bases.
        it was a steady drift towards ridding the country of foreign control of our wealth. Even the UNP government of 1965-70 dared not touch them. in fact it even encouraged state owned small-medium scale industries.
        !978 was an absolute reversal from whose effects we are unable to escape.
        A lot of reform is possible without privatisation. (What did Britain achieve by privatising electricity, railways and water supply? It fed some fat cats.)
        No subsidies is fine if there is fair treatment of all sections of the population.

        • 7
          2

          “1956 marked freeing the country from foreign domination.”

          Any dumb ass would know that was the beginning of enslaving the people to a particular imagined master race, creating new polarizing political forces. Even Colvin told the Ceylon Parliament “One language, two nations; Two languages, one Nation…”.

          “I hope that you are not an advocate of continued colonial control of our harbours and foreign naval and air bases.”

          Any dumb ass would know the nature of warfare has completely changed. Countries do not need bases, in fact Afghanistan has proved it right.

          Now what is taking place in Chinese built port city? Who owns it? China demanded the right of its spy ships to visit its port in Hambantota. I wonder why Chinese lackeys kept themselves to themselves, not a whisper criticizing Chinese bullying. Even some of them went all the way to Hambantota to worship the ship its crew and content.

          I wonder what happened to Sri Mao’s proposal making Indian Ocean as a Zone of Peace? Gone with the wind.

          Any dumb ass would know 1956 did not liberate the up country Tamil speaking people, their living conditions were as bad as 1948 and still is.

          Ultimately 1956 not only freed the saffron brigade but also unleashed them with a ferocity that the country never knew.

          Seriously, ……..

          • 5
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            Native, according to retired Professor, “1956 marked freeing the country from foreign domination so that few families take control and dominate from there after”.

            • 4
              3

              Oh dear
              So those families took over the naval base, the harbour, the air base etc. and leased them out to make money.
              Pretty good stuff!
              BTW
              The same families took turns to rule regardless of what they did to/for the country.

              • 4
                0

                SJ,
                One more attribute of taking over Trinco Naval base?
                Modern Political theory!!??
                REFUGE FOR FIRST FAMILIES BEING HOUNDED BY DISSIDENT PEOPLE OF SL!!??

                • 4
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                  Mahila

                  “REFUGE FOR FIRST FAMILIES BEING HOUNDED BY DISSIDENT PEOPLE OF SL!!??”

                  Don’t forget we still love colonial life style.
                  You must visit CHINA BAY GOLF CLUB, fantastic place for foreign and domestic rich including Mao’s ……. Little Red Book ….

                  By the way China is suffering from longest sustained heatwave and drought since mid June.
                  Why don’t Chinese lackeys send water and breeze as goodwill gesture to China. I mean The Three Stooges, Vasu still fighting an imagined war against USA, Weeping Weeresekera fighting against the imagined diaspora, Weerawansa against himself, … others fighting for – no one knows as to why perhaps against Tamil Nadu, Hindia, ….

                • 1
                  3

                  Are you serious?
                  If so it took over 60 years to get the first dividend.

            • 1
              0

              Retired Prof types, ” Privatization in past often ended up in asset stripping ” . Reason being assets passed over to family members, financiers, cronies, lackeys …… It’s called ” political domination, not privatization”.

              • 0
                0

                Check out the web site of George Steuart. Says “established in 1835, the first group of companies to be registered in Lanka .In 1954, GS was incorporated. The oldest corporate house locally and one of the oldest mercantile establishments in the world. The 1975 nationalization program ADVERSELY affected the company. During this time the company was managing the largest tea plantations in the country. Undeterred the company set a new gear in motion to diversify (travel, health, telecom, insurance, recruitment )and expand. It claims to have more than 50 offices worldwide. If you look at the CURRENT Board of members and key management personnel, quite a few are political lackeys. I’m told Rajapaksa family invested large amount of looted money through proxies. One of the major share holder now is Dhammika. They accumulated shares through third parties to take control of the board and get rid of previous personnel, to replace with their own.

                • 1
                  0

                  Chiv,
                  ” If you look at the CURRENT Board of members and key management personnel, quite a few are political lackeys”
                  Yes, including Dilith Jayaweera and Varuni Fernando. Dilith J made a LOT of money pumping and dumping on the CSE along with DP and Nalaka Godahewa, which brought them billions in tax- free profits, which they used to buy up all sorts of companies, from hotels to ceramics factories. All are prominent Viyathmaga members. .George Steuarts also got the monopoly to sell over-priced Covid test kits. These are all well documented.
                  But our doughty CT corruption fighters prefer to pursue mythical bond scams!

        • 7
          0

          SJ- We have fundamental differences. My concept of socialism is to reduce as much as possible the inequality of income distribution. This can be done through tax structure. Benefits of whatever development should go to the masses. Your concept of socialism is to keep the business enterprises under the state control.
          We are currently seeing the inefficiencies of government enterprises.
          Prior to 1956 we had virtually an open economy. In 1956 we have seen the programme of nationalization of private business entities starting from public transport, It continued under Mrs.B in 1960s and after 1970 as well. When oil industry was nationalized in 1960s they have gone to Singapore and they were welcomed by LKY. Then they started oil refineries which contributed to the development of Singapore.
          When Tea estates were nationalized in 1970s they have gone to Kenya. Now Kenya is a strong competitor of Ceylon tea.
          Because of this nationalization process there was depletion of private capital in the country. We need private capital to develop a country. I think you should learn from Deng Xiaoping.
          Thanks for the dialogue.

          • 2
            3

            Thank you for the lesson on socialism. But my reading says otherwise.
            Have you any idea of what bus transport was like before nationalization?
            The three oil vendors were here from god knows when, did they ever think of a refinery here? What has the take over to do with whatever they did in Singapore?
            *
            The nationalization of tea plantations had many benefits that are not spoken about. The plantation workers had for the first time been allowed educational facilities like the other people. Not only the literacy rose, their competence too.
            Kenya’s tea estates are no threat to any other country’s. (Kenya is a great coffee exporter too.) Our fault was not in moving with the times and go for other tea-based products and promote tea globally, so that it did not lose its market to coffee.
            *
            The Chinese people too have learned from Deng so that fewer mention him there now than those who mention JRJ here in a positive light.
            Under Xi social welfare has received more attention than ever from the 1980s.
            Can you suggest a better teacher than Deng!

            • 1
              0

              SJ,
              Shell actually did plan a refinery in Ceylon. I am not 100% certain, but I think the current Sapugaskanda site was selected by them.
              https://www.nytimes.com/1956/11/22/archives/shell-team-seeks-ceylon-plant-site.html

              • 1
                3

                OC
                Thanks.
                I stand corrected. But planning in 1956 and not building even in 1961 implies hesitation.
                Shell may have been in two minds after SWRDB took over air and naval bases and the port. So the decision to move to Singapore may been before 1961. It would perhaps have been different if the UNP won in July 1960.

                • 3
                  0

                  SJ,
                  “It would perhaps have been different if the UNP won in July 1960.”
                  Or even in 1956. In those days, “socialism” was the bugbear of multinationals. But we could have handled them differently, without bull-in-the -china-shop methods. But SWRD and LKY, though similarly educated, had very different management abilities. Even in Singapore, the taxi service was a trade union monopoly, but nobody objected. And, of course, the housing system in Singapore is much more “socialist” than ours.
                  What was needed was more tact and less big talk. We still haven’t learnt today.

                  • 0
                    4

                    OC
                    I wonder if the hesitation of Shell was a factor in the nationalization project.
                    It meant a considerable saving of foreign exchange at the time to crack petroleum here.

                    • 1
                      0

                      SJ,
                      “meant a considerable saving of foreign exchange”
                      In relative terms petrol is cheaper now than then. A gallon doesn’t cost an average daily wage now.

                  • 5
                    0

                    old codger

                    “What was needed was more tact and less big talk. We still haven’t learnt today.”

                    You are right however those who could not convince the ordinary people by rational arguments, did resort to competitive racism, mostly successful in grabbing power.

                    The public racist Anagarika Homeless Dharmapala spoon fed racism to the middle class, as if he was showing the path to Nibana. This sound weird now however we can see some parallel among Jehovah witness.

                    He lived off on foreign contributions.
                    Does that ring a bell?
                    Before SJ check where the bell is he should read about Anagarika Homeless Dharmapala.

                    • 0
                      0

                      Native,
                      If big talk was any use, we would have been ruling Singapore by now.

              • 3
                0

                OC,
                Banda and Ape Aanduwa did it all?!
                Api Thamai Hondattama Kerre??!!
                Chased out investors and then go and beg them??
                Nothing has changed over 70 years??

                • 1
                  3

                  M
                  “Chased out investors and then go and beg them??”
                  SWRDB did not nationalize any foreign investment, but for the Port, an ancient facility which was hardly an investment.
                  No foreign company invested under the UNP either.
                  Mrs B nationalized petroleum trading companies.
                  Which industry was cased off?
                  Was it a crime to take over the plantations that were virtually stolen under the colonial rulers paying a pittance for the land?
                  *
                  Get some information before screaming your head off.

            • 3
              0

              SJ- No it is not a lesson rather an identification of the differences.
              Yes, I have heard and read about the situation prior to nationalization of public transport. I agree with you, but I believe that what the government should have done was to introduce regulatory measures rather than taking over the business.
              If the oil companies built up a refinery it also would have been nationalized.
              Yes, the living standards of plantation workers improved after nationalization but at what cost to the national economy. Same results could have been achieved with the involvement of the government
              Deng and Xi, both are in the same line of thinking. One is at the beginning of the process and the other is at the middle. Both believed the value of private enterprises.

            • 0
              0

              Harsha, nationalization of tea plantation may have benefited plantation workers living in faraway places like Kenya, but not in Lanka. The quality of life went from bad to worse, until Senior Thondaman took over the reigns of CWC and started negotiating with JR government. In Lanka it’s easy to point at name boards, empty schools, schools without teachers or basic facilities as development. During Bandas time overall the quality of life was poor ( especially for Tamils) and to say somehow upcountry plantation workers benefited is utter rubbish.

    • 7
      3

      “Why should two well performing banks be privatized to let some private bankers get rich?”

      Go to any branch of state owned bank and experience how they function, inefficiency, inertia of the officers, and the queue, unnecessary rules, …. and the Manager’s belief system, …. even those idiots make a simple task, transaction into Himalayan Task, …….

      “This obsession with privitisation has cost the country a lot.”

      It is not obsession but a necessary evil.
      “It doesn’t matter whether a cat is black or white, as long as it catches mice.”
      Deng Xiaoping

      Sorry to say that if Nimal, Sinhala Man, Old Codger …. and other good people give me authority I would propose that all dimwits at government institutions over 30 should be sent home or to Middle East with immediate effect.

      • 5
        4

        “Go to any branch of state owned bank and experience how they function, inefficiency,”
        When did the glass ball last take a peek into any bank in this country?

      • 3
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        Native,
        Middle East? Surely you are joking?

        • 5
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          old codger

          “Middle East? Surely you are joking?”

          Actually I meant Highway Building and cleaning projects in all weather, cleaning outside the buildings, for example Burj Khalifa (Dubai), Makkah Royal Clock Tower Hotel (Saudi), …… So that those who enjoyed good life in this country hopefully learn how hard it is to work and earn in dollars away from home and in all weather which is being wasted on luxuries, …..

          On the first flight I would send Dinesh, Sangili Karuppan, Udaya, Weeping Weerasekera, Vasu, …. Namal baby, .. those who were in the welcome party at the airport.

          I understand there are plenty of vacancies in middle eastern countries.

          • 5
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            Native,
            Some denizens at CPC and CEB earn more here than they would in the Middle East. But building cleaning would be a good idea….

      • 2
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        NV,
        Private sector is – as claimed by JVP and Left parties (Socialist) and with SJ’s tacit permission – is very much profit oriented?? Very true and what’s wrong with it?? In my view none!!
        If that is so, they – that ‘SYSTEM’ – privatisation, will not inherently, TOLERATE OR APPOINT and be comfortable with inefficient, incompetent, and inept work ethics and management condoning it at any level – top, middle or low level management or employees??! Get, “BEST BANG FOR OUR BUCKS” is the motto and as part owner of the CORPORATE entity, Government/State (meaning People who are the ultimate owners, would reap, better REVENUE – TAXES, Return on Investment (RoI)??!!
        That being the case, Sri Lanka and Lankans become say 49/50/51% RICHER (Shareholding dependent) than BEING POORER by that amount when the institution does not make any money?? Worse, the public money and Taxes garnered are spent on “propping up”, places non contributors to national economy?? All for the satisfaction of corrupt politicians and public officials??!!
        We are sadly today missing A MEAL, FUEL, GAS, RISING CoL?! 64+% with a BEGGING BOWL!!
        Why not privatise, if loss making 3+ years privatise, profit subsidise poor, instead??

        • 3
          0

          Mahila

          “We are sadly today missing A MEAL, FUEL, GAS, RISING CoL?! 64+% with a BEGGING BOWL!!”

          This is not only because of theft, robbery, looting, ….. by the top politicians and functionaries but the state owned enterprises are being run by as you said “inefficient, incompetent, and inept” irresponsible dumb asses and the employees are the laziest lot in the country. Those lazy asses do not allow the rest of employees work. The rest of the employee who want to work hard and work hard are demotivated by the lazy dumb asses and if they don’t adhere to work place norms (how to remain idle) they are being severely sanctioned.

          The idling lot is protected by the party that is ruling at the time, irrespective of its colour.
          Lets hear from defenders of ideology.

          One more issue, on every occasion foreign company (especially the Indian companies) is brought to build harbour or railway lines the trade union is up in arms. The trade union always claimed they were capable of building such project. If that was the case why didn’t the patriotic trade union bid for the projects in the first place? On the other hand when projects were given to Chinese companies almost all political parties, trade unions, … saffron brigades, and Mao’s ….. …….. were silent.

    • 5
      1

      The more SOEs Sri Lanka has More are the opportunities for utter corruption. Frog in the well attitudes combined with the corruption instigated by equally greedy but dumb Rajapakshe family is what got this country into the present mess. Accepting frog in the well policies without question or critical thinking of the voters helped to usher in the stupidest pack of morons ever to run a country. Privatizing SOEs wheather they are loss making or not is mandatory to starve the future scoundrels who will repeat the same acts of corruption once they weasel their way into governance by duping the voting idiots of Sri Lanka. There is a Sinhalese saying that there is no medicine for foolishness. That is the Sri Lankan voter and why the need to guard against them.

      • 0
        0

        When frogs in the well are the benefactors of Silly Lanka style socialism, they sure will resist privatization.Report to work at 10 am , tea at 11 , lunch between 12 and one, again tea at 3 pm and go home by 5 pm. Promotions, salary increment and rest are decided by politicians. ( not assessed ). Work when you can and want to is their motto, monthly wages for doing nothing and warming chairs, in addition perks and pension, many also take side by bribes, accept favors . . . . . Things may appear better compared to past, but inefficiency is same or worse.

    • 3
      1

      SJ,
      “Why should two well performing banks be privatized to let some private bankers get rich?
      This obsession with privatisation has cost the country a lot.
      The serious woes concern planning and management.”
      Apologies, i do not get it??
      The privatisation, brings in investment – funds – to the treasury!!??
      Profits, don’t accrue, simply because of inward investment, but hard work by Investor to streamline and make the Bank work super efficiently?? Not otherwise.. So the earnings are a reward fo the hard work in achieving the objective – Profit, of which a part 51% is SL??! What’s wrong in that?? Chances are the investor, invests because of the aim to enhance the profits!! Not otherwise and SL profits being on the sideline, being 50% owner!!!

      • 0
        3

        Give me a good reason why what is now a world class bank.
        World-renowned The Banker Magazine UK reaffirmed the Bank of Ceylon as being among the ‘Top 1000 Banks in the World’ with the country rank No. 1.
        (DM 26.7.2019)
        Kindly list a few privatized businesses that did better after the event.
        Most of them made money by asset stripping.
        It has happened elsewhere too, if it is a consolation
        *
        “Apologies, i do not get it??”
        If you cannot get it, you will never get it. So relax.

    • 2
      0

      It seems 52 is their lucky number.

      These bastards born to Medamulana hell had a coup in Oct 2018, and that govt lasted not long. It took just 52 days and SC orderred shameless bastard to step down. He has committed high crimes as no others, so only option him to stay away from prisons is to stay further in parliament.
      :
      Now again, Gotabaya as the most controversal man, who had to sacrifice the life for his brother s high crimes, left the country on the 09 th July and spent 52 days out of the country and returned home last night.
      .

  • 18
    7

    The article draws attention to a huge problem. Nothing can be done it seems because things have gone completely out of control. In China for example Mahinda would face the death penalty for what the author describes Mahinda did to Emirates-Air Lanka.
    The death penalty should be introduced in SL with retroactive jurisdiction for commercial crimes above a certain financial amount. Justice must the executed summarily. There is no alternative.
    Kumar David

    • 9
      2

      It’s interesting to see how investigations into crimes are sabotaged. The airline lost so much, but when 3.5 million was paid for inquiring into it, see what a fuss was made:
      .
      https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/sri-lankan-airlines-weliamuna-inquiry-costs-rs-3-5-million/
      .
      Articles such as this exposed what had happened:
      .
      https://www.tisrilanka.org/shocking-details-of-corruptions-at-srilankan-pm-office/
      .
      As for the Peter Hill story there are plenty of reports:
      .
      https://www.sundaytimes.lk/071230/News/news0002.html
      .
      All that when the war against Prabhakaran was being fought.
      .
      I’ve now lost track of all the reports that I have looked at during the past two hours. Here are some:
      .
      http://www.aircargonews.com/071229/peterhill071229.html
      .
      and here is mention of his Lankan wife and his house in Kotte:
      .
      https://www.sundaytimes.lk/071230/News/news0002.html
      .
      Readers should do their own googling!
      .
      https://www.sundayobserver.lk/2018/06/10/opinion/slfp-16-and-parable-peter-hill
      .
      Laymen like us can’t investigate this sort of thing. Once investigated, yes “Justice must the executed summarily as Professor Kumar David says.
      .
      All citizens have to foot the bills for these crimes, but few of us can understand all the details.
      .
      Panini Edirisinhe

      • 7
        0

        SM,
        You seem to understand now that what MR did to Srilankan, and his setting up Mihin Lanka was far more “egregious ” than the “bond scam” that some loquacious individuals on this forum insist on flaunting.
        Let us not miss the wood for the trees.

        • 6
          0

          The huge fund abuse for Mihin lanka is now a taboo topic to srilanken media why?
          Stupid folks would take another few decades to see it right regarding the size of harm Medamulana rodies have deliberately made to this nation. All because media did nt react as it should. Yet today they are protecting medamulana criminals for their hidden agendas. In a civilised world Mahinda has no right to be out of a prison.🤨🤨🤨🤨🤨🤨🤨🤨🤨🤨🤨🤨🤨🤨

          • 4
            0

            LM,
            Our people have very short memories. Probably the media has been paid not to talk about Mihin Air or what Mahinda did to Srilankan. The man is a shameless ba…..rd. Not only did he waste money on useless projects, he had the gall to name them after himself. Like Mihin Air, the Mahindodaya school labs too were named after him.

            • 3
              0

              OC,
              .
              I missed senior Premadasa’s Tamassa in those days. It transcended all ethics. It is to deceive the helpless voters. Later I joined a petition organized by AI to stand against Premadasa at the beginning of my stay in Europe. There I wished that such leaders would never be born in this island.

              However; After 2005, a donkey became the leader of the nation and broke all the records of Jeshta Premadasa. EVen today people find it difficult to discover his true nature. Mahinda dared the people last week by claiming GOTA LEFT the country for a “medical check-up”. who does he think he is ? People dont utter one word against the bastard, but Mahinda continues to bully the same people… Why?
              Whose fault did the people of Malcha fall for the easy tricks of the politicians? He wanted the job out of vanity and ambition. Not because of he loves the people. People were forever indebted to his shows. As far as I know, the EU leaders criticized the way the bastard administration wasted money on that CHOGEM louder than the world leaders.

              • 4
                1

                I meant, i hated, Premadas s Gamudawa programme.

                • 1
                  0

                  I couldn’t agree ore with you on that.

        • 3
          3

          OC
          “Let us not miss the wood for the trees.”
          Is not missing that happens most often here?
          Without it, there will be very few comments here.

        • 4
          2

          Please look at the bottom of this page, old codger.
          .
          These scams have had a serious impact on the economy of Lanka. They don’t exist for you to make amusing comparisons. Please look at the bottom of this page.
          .
          Panini Edirisinhe
          .

    • 9
      0

      eeakdavi

      I wish to narrate a simple fable/parable to illustrate the need to set example at the top.
      ” A king went to forest for hunting with his team and decided to spend the night in the forest and started cooking dinner. The cooks found out that Salt was not available with them and reported to the King. The King instructed his servants to go to the nearby village and obtain salt after payment. The ministers who accompanied the king were surprised why you insist on payment to the salt. it has very little value and the villagers will be glad to give small amount to the ling without any payment.
      The King explained that if the king get something free then the ministers will get a bigger gift, say a goat for free and the servants in turn will almost swindle the villagers setting the king’s behaviorr as precedent.

      The moral of the story is to start from the top to ensure the followers to behave.

      Your advice is worth following by starting anti- corruption drive by starting from Rajapakses with maximum punishment for unparalleled swindling of national wealth.

    • 10
      0

      eeakdavi- Thank you for your comment. This is a well known fact. I can very well remember the sequence of events. Please do more research and raise the issue.

    • 1
      11

      in China would anyone dare to not allow Xi to travel at his given time ? I doubt is dum dumber?

    • 4
      2

      Sir
      We do have death penalty but do it in different ways,the very first casualty was SWRD destroyed the country, that’s why his statue in Aragalaya boomi, now we have men for Korea japan…..women for ME ,destroyed the education system, look at India and their job market, they kept the English medium.
      Now SWRD’s grand living and serving in UK (Kumarathungam)
      Who exactly destroying and raping the mother

      • 5
        4

        c, you say
        “SWRD destroyed the country”
        Did JRJ bring it back to life, or was it Thambi who had a go at it?

    • 10
      1

      eeakdavi

      “The death penalty should be introduced in SL with retroactive jurisdiction for commercial crimes above a certain financial amount. Justice must the executed summarily.”

      At this point in time, in your opinion how many people are not entitle to their life, should not be allowed to live because you think they have committed commercial crimes above a certain financial amount. What is the certain amount?

      How would you impose discipline on those maintain law and order, even to investigate and charge those crooks without the interference of political crooks? However our system protects robber barons and punishes an 8 year old child who stole a coconut.

      We know how to scratch each others back.

      As an established intellectual, you have the responsibility to tell us how to stop people being greedy.
      Forget SJ as he is still living in Mao-Sirimao era.

      • 5
        4

        “tell us how to stop people being greedy.”
        Is it a question that the the glass ball cannot answer even after cleaning and polishing?

      • 3
        0

        Native
        “However our system protects robber barons and punishes an 8 year old child who stole a coconut.”
        Remember Sakvithi? He scammed poor people out of millions of rupees with a pyramid scheme.
        Then there is Dhammika Perera, who separated billions of rupees from not-so-poor people through his casinos.
        Sakvithi spent time in jail, but DP gets invited to share his wisdom on TV.
        Strange country.

        • 2
          3

          Dear oc,
          .
          It is sad to see you trying so hard to divert our attention from contemporary evils to relatively minor scandals. These digressions seem to confirm that you will never get down to the job of kicking out the crooks who stole the ability to stare down almost anybody on Planet Earth. So, you’re a light-weight commenter who cannot be assigned any important tasks.
          .
          Panini Edirisinhe of Bandarawela (NIC 483111444V)

          • 2
            2

            SM,
            “, you’re a light-weight commenter who cannot be assigned any important tasks.”
            I was all this time under the impression that I was acting on my own. Am I being assigned tasks, and if so, by whom ? When did I take up membership in any club?
            I am not trying to divert anyone’s attention, though those who take an interest in my random thoughts are welcome. I doubt that CT expects all its readers to be single-mindedly tilting at windmills.

        • 4
          0

          old codger

          “Sakvithi spent time in jail, but DP gets invited to share his wisdom on TV.
          Strange country.”

          He was sentenced to two years for bigamy.
          I don’t know whether that man spent time for scams.

          • 2
            1

            Native,
            “He was sentenced to two years for bigamy.”
            Another curious thing. One can have umpteen mistresses while being married to one woman, but marry two women and you’re in trouble. Very unfair.

            • 4
              0

              old codger,
              …. marry two women and you’re in trouble.
              You are telling me.
              I married just once. And, I am in more trouble than anyone twice married!

              • 1
                0

                Nathan,
                I presume your wife doesn’t read CT?

            • 0
              0

              old codger

              “One can have umpteen mistresses while being married to one woman, but marry two women and you’re in trouble.”

              What exactly are you suggesting.
              I have lost the ability to read between the lines?

    • 3
      0

      Kumar

      I’m quite shocked that you &, apparently, so many other CTers, support the death penalty.
      I feel it is utterly abhorrent that we still retain it, tho, at least we havent implemented it for many years.

      • 4
        0

        Manel Fonseka

        “I’m quite shocked that you &, apparently, so many other CTers, support the death penalty.”

        I don’t.
        This is where I disagree with many (for example Nimal Fernando).
        I know Nimal Fernando just winds us up.

  • 5
    0

    “imprudent economic direction the country followed.” It is not only imprudent economic direction but also the imprudent political direction that was taken by all GoSL. In order to achieve the political change we need to enact the NEW CONSTITUTION (NC) at the earliest. NC should be approved by public referendum. There after we should have Parliamentary elections. NC should have provisions to
    1] safeguard the minorities 2] assure meritocracy 3] eliminate bribery and corruption 4] a secular country
    5] non-interference by clergy 6] bar corrupt uneducated criminals contesting elections
    etc etc

  • 3
    5

    it was a good budget.well done ranil.It is obvious to anyone that this is not a hastily prepared budget ,but a well thought out one with enormous time spent on it.The more than 40 years experience that ranil has as a parliamentarian would have reduce the time he would have to spend on it.

    on another rather frivolous note i salute another royalist for a job done so far after becoming the prime minister and president.Disce aut discede–learn or depart is our motto.Do the job properly this time or depart.Royalists are the natural leaders of this country.Not thurtanites or brigeteens.

  • 5
    1

    The Restructuring of the CEB just because they increased the tariffs. are you crazy? This power utility that provides power to a state the size of Michigan has 1100 Engineers. Are you kidding me? Even with 1100 of our best minds, they are unable to provide power regularly to the country because they sabotage the Generation plan! These organizations have to be remade to be worth anything. if they don’t do a significant restructuring of the CEB CPC etc. I would consider Ranil a failure.

  • 3
    1

    Lot of diaspora wants to come and invest,specifically in north security is worst the young thugs roam around with swords freely harnessing robberies people are scared despite the fact the amount of vast forces being installed.
    Apparently TN is benefiting from diaspora, they export a lot from veggies fish …..rice etc but sadly it’s being ignored,
    Tourists arrivals may be high check how many of them origin of

  • 5
    0

    eeakdavi

    I wish to narrate a simple fable/parable to illustrate the need to set example at the top.
    ” A king went to forest for hunting with his team and decided to spend the night in the forest and started cooking dinner. The cooks found out that Salt was not available with them and reported to the King. The King instructed his servants to go to the nearby village and obtain salt after payment. The ministers who accompanied the king were surprised why you insist on payment to the salt. it has very little value and the villagers will be glad to give small amount to the ling without any payment.
    The King explained that if the king get something free then the ministers will get a bigger gift, say a goat for free and the servants in turn will almost swindle the villagers setting the king’s behaviorr as precedent.

    The moral of the story is to start from the top to ensure the followers to behave.

    Your advice is worth following by starting anti- corruption drive by starting from Rajapakses with maximum punishment for unparalleled swindling of national wealth.

    • 4
      7

      Corruption and theft are rewarded more than punished.
      Look at Tamilnadu. Did the Rajapaksa family steal more than the Karunanidhi family? Even the petty thief Jayalalitha stole about as much as the Rajapaksa family. It is that stolen wealth that dominated Tamilnadu politics.
      How is it that the Adani group of swindlers are allowed license to rob Sri Lanka by Modi?
      Why do we forget our big thieves of the late last century?

      • 8
        0

        “Look at Tamilnadu. Did the Rajapaksa family steal more than the Karunanidhi family?”

        Why is this question important?
        We are discussing Sri Lankan problem not Tamil Nadu.
        Even if we want to bring in Tamil Nadu foolishly do we have any reliable comparative studies on corruption.
        Any dumb ass would know two wrongs don’t make a right.
        Grow up.

        What do dumb asses benefit from defending the local robber barons and murderers.
        Age wisely and gracefully.

        • 6
          0

          Could be “Whataboutism” is a means of condoning our folly our own wrong doers.

          Tamil Nadu is terrible indeed, but I doubt it finds excuses by looking to Sri Lanka.

          Wonder if this logic could be a defence in the Hong Kong courts now after Chinas take over ?

          I

          • 0
            0

            Fakeculturebug, isn’t it our favorite pass time especially for those who are retired and so called intellectuals. 1) Whataboutism 2) extensive in depth analysis and comparative study on ” bad, worse and the ugly ones” (Banda, JR / RW, Rajapaksas) only because we never had a decent genuine leader in 75 years of our INdependence. 3) Commonly heard discussion , MR is better than GR , BR , CR, NR . . .4) Look at India (why not Pakistan), US, West . . . look here . . .look there but it’s we who are bankrupt, broke, dysfunctional and failed.

            • 0
              0

              Sorry pastime. I am sure you heard such stupid discussions before who stole more, who killed less, who is worse ??? Yesterday Chandrika told public, party is full of thieves and criminals. Many have admitted to Rajapaksa corruption including former CJ Sarath (another crook). Many including Nimal, Lanza, Johnston, Rambuk, Mahindananda, have cases against them.

        • 3
          8

          Wisdom and Grace– sermon from the ball gazer!

          • 5
            3

            “Wisdom and Grace– sermon from the ball gazer!”

            If you have problem understanding it please feel free to ask old codger, Sinhala Man, nimal fernando, eeakdavi, …….
            Since you are full of yourself I suggest you seek some help.

            • 1
              3

              You appear to see too much of yourself in others.
              Perhaps the ball is reflecting these days.

          • 6
            0

            Dose it feel more relevant when gazing down there ?

  • 1
    1

    Govt Agencies are incapable of gaining Profits. Privatise all state owned companies. We need to save the country first , not the people.

    • 4
      0

      you can’t save the country without saving the people and vice versa.

    • 5
      1

      …to make profit for themselves.
      Privatisation in the past often ended with asset stripping.
      Allowing fair competition by the private sector, as with banking and other commercial activities will make sense.

  • 3
    2

    RANIL DO YOU NEED EASY WAY TO COLLECT MONEY FOLLOW THE FOOT STEPS OF MAHINDA.ASK RICH TAMIL GOLD JEWELARY SHOP OWNERS FROM SEA STREET AND RICH MUSLIMS LIKE HA******YAS WILL TELL YOU HOW MUCH THEY PAID TO KING.

  • 1
    2

    Instead of selling sinhala land assets to china in lieu of inability to pay chinese debts including by the war against VP and resulting in a chinese colonisation of sinhala land and continuing sinhala being arse wipers exports , Why not just allowed the VP to have achieved his goals and then made that part ceylon like singapore. The esteemed Singaporeon Lew Kuan Yew in his memoirs has lauded the enterprise mentality of the ceylon tamils vis a v the sinhalas

  • 1
    0

    Interim Budget 2022: Transformation Of The Economic Direction Of The Country

    Ranil is reading budget speech about one hours all others parliamentarian knocking at the table like he has achieved a champion ship gold medal the same before the knocking on the table was done and up with knock out to bankruptcy What is this 134 parliamentary doing to the country. A budget should reflect the values and priorities of our nation and its people. If you do not care for access for food for poor care then expect for more fund for Medicare

    • 1
      0

      The happy 134 glad and wanted to secure, they will do anything, spraying chille powder, take the public furntiures in parliament to attack,some of them knows they can’t be speaker so forcily took the chair and had the selfie to put that into the family history.
      Now white van “garoyo awilla”tomorrw Welissaya ,
      What a circles and circuses

      Pls have central govt just like any other countries, I heard Wales Scotland Ireland etc,or even hated Hindia how they have state system and progressing well,we had enough of these big thick thaddias,
      Look at now “Sir ” is back he can be a PM ,Prez or white van operator

  • 3
    5

    Dear oc,
    .
    My disappointment with you grows. What did you mean by this?
    .
    “Telling the people the entire truth isn’t practical.”
    .
    You have said it in a comment here:
    .
    https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/government-needs-to-change-course-in-national-interest/
    .
    I find it shocking. I try not to mislead, and I certainly try to tell the truth.
    .
    To have “a14455″ saying this (on this page) was to see the sort of thing that I expect to see from him:
    .
    “Gota- A very poor politician who naively believed that all the foolish things he promised needed to be implemented. Any politician worth their salt would know that promises are to get votes and running of the country is a different matter altogether.”
    .
    I hope that “leelagemalli” objects. He is truthful, although he sometimes acts scared, but then I know all about him. I shall not tell you his name, etc.
    .
    Ramona TF will also disapprove, but nimal fernando’s standards don’t seem to be very high, either.
    .
    Panini Edirisinhe of Bandarawela (NIC 483111444V)

    • 3
      1

      SM,
      “Telling the people the entire truth isn’t practical.”
      .I know you are an idealist, but I am not.
      In the real world, lies and half-truths, or plain hypocrisy rule. Why do you think Ranil consistently loses elections? It is because he doesn’t promise the sun and the moon free. His economics is realistic ( higher taxes, less subsidies, privatisation of loss making entities, closer economic links with India, etc). But in the past, all these have been stymied, not least by sections of his own party.
      Mahinda is an expert at selling sunshine stories and raising racist emotions. He knows what wins elections. But it is the very winners of elections that got us in this situation. There are still people who simply don’t believe how serious the situation is.

      • 3
        1

        Cont’d.
        What do you think people would do if they were told that bread would rise to 400 rupees? Or chicken to 2000.
        There would be more lynching and burnings. And after that? A string of ineffective governments paralysed by populism? Maybe even Gota back as President.
        The IMF would depart pronto.
        Is that what you want, SM? There are worse things than a few lies from the government. Not everyone can take the truth, you see. The people will face a LOT of pain. But isn’t it the very same people who voted in that arrogant ass? And it seems there are still lots of people who support him, going by the crowd at the airport. In my mind, even starvation is better than the return of the Rajapaksas.

        • 3
          1

          SM,
          Talking about hypocrisy, didn’t you see that current paragon of truth and virtue, Ranjan Ramanayaka, worshipping at a Buddhist temple after his release?
          Doesn’t that explain how the real world works?

          • 4
            0

            OC,
            .
            I told you and all again and again, that media mafia is thousand times more powerful than drug mafia in our Rajapakshe punished motherland.

            Please check take the following as an example – below is the link
            .
            https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wqdVqhMGPc

            Mothers ordain their children against their will. This is the ingrained culture of our society. If the people are aware, will they ever get their children ordained and block the #future? The end result is the breeding of “more ghanasaras”. Just as artists are easy disciples of rogue politicians, they are part of the catalyst for rogue politics.

            Listening to the HIRU Moderator, I thought, is he making up a news story? The truth is to bury or minimize the message so that it is positive.
            :
            Even today there is a strong myth in the Sinhala society. if we say it that The truth is that every child would like to have a good childhood if possible. That myth says that if a child commits to Sangha life, that offspring will see nirvana, and according to them, this myth prevalent in society is similar to “mothers turning their own blood into milk”. Other myths point to a Sinhalese-dominated society that strayed from true Buddhism. It ultimately misleads people.

          • 2
            1

            Dear oc,
            .
            You asked me about that a few days ago, and I responded, at some length. You gave me his full name, and said that he was a Roman Catholic.
            .
            My response included my saying that I wouldn’t want to condemn even SWRDB, because the Christian faith is associated with Europe. I’m sure that many think of Israel as being a European country. And Jesus is thought of as white, by most people. Well, he probably was, I guess. Even Arabs are considerably fairer than us.
            .
            Of course, being a politician, it’s best to be a Buddhist in this country; but worst is to be agnostic or atheist.
            .
            Your hero, Ranil, actually had an Anglican Bishop as paternal uncle; but he was fortunate to have a “Buddhist” mother. As did JR? I can’t remember.
            .
            Doesn’t matter much to me.

      • 2
        3

        Dear oc,
        .
        If there was a suggestion that you’re being “assigned tasks” then that is wrong. You must necessarily comment as you think fit. And most of your comments are wonderful.
        .
        However, I think that it is quite in order for me to point out that when Ranil is the subject you lose objectivity. How many other “democratic” countries (I grant that there may be some) have had leaders who have lost so many elections and still selfishly hold on to leadership of their Party? How sure are you that Ranil is so virtuous, that he doesn’t mislead and tell lies? Most recent: his attitude to the Aragalaya, before and after Gota fled.
        .
        I agree that he is very different from Mahinda, and what you say about the latter is true.
        .
        I’m not an idealist in this; it’s just that I have read Aesop’s fable about the boy who cried, “Wolf”.

        • 2
          0

          SM,
          “How sure are you that Ranil is so virtuous, that he doesn’t mislead and tell lies?”
          Again, you’re reading non-existent imputations. Where have I suggested that he doesn’t lie? Of course he does, ALL politicians do. Now, don’t tell me that the NPP doesn’t.
          I don’t expect selfless perfection from any politician. If I feel that, given the circumstances, a politician’s policies are the best for the country, that’s it. Even if his name is Rajapaksa.
          Winning elections is no indication of ability. If that was the case, dear SM, shouldn’t you be singing the praises of GR, who got the biggest majority ever?

          • 1
            0

            OC
            How can one take shelter under someone giving the full name of a public identity to defend revealing names of lesser mortals preferring privacy.
            It is not easy to be holier than the other.

            • 0
              1

              SJ,
              “It is not easy to be holier than the other.”
              I suppose that’s what washing machine makers call “fuzzy logic “.

    • 5
      1

      SM and all,
      .
      “Telling people the whole truth is impractical.”

      In November 2019, the entire population, including graduates believed to be intellectuals, responded similarly. If they were smart, they could have double-checked what Gotabhaya was doing during the entire 15 long years he was hiding in the US at the height of the war.
      :
      Usually leaders in exile go through educational programs if they are interested in politics, but there are no records of Gotabhaya completing such programs.
      .
      So it is clear that it is pointless to tell the truth to this nation in today’s nature, even the little ones know that people will repeat their mistakes. Not comparatively as others do, but as no nation does it. If you try to point at the moon, they look at your finger. This is the condition of more than 70% of my naturally beautiful, Rajapaksa-looted motherland.

      The mainstream media needs to get out of the grip of CROOK politicians and start siding with the public.

      • 4
        0

        Honey badger is known to be stupid but brave. Those who are not known, can click on the link below for more info….. is the reaction HONEY badger no different to that of GOTTA……
        .
        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c36UNSoJenI

      • 3
        0

        Being a graduate is no guarantee that a person will be able to reason soundly. Usually, they are lost outside their discipline.
        .
        Also, although your love for (obsession with, almost) the land of your birth, is both intense and sincere, you usually have little respect for its people, and often display too much respect for “developed countries”. Others have also commented on your subconscious poor view of Africans, which often breaks through in your comments.
        .
        The same faults may be present in me! Actually, it may well be that some ethnic groups are superior to others. Genetics is no joke. However, there is an understanding that there cannot be an overt display of racism.
        .
        Later today, we will know who the Prime Minister of the UK is to be from the 6th.
        .
        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NtST_I_mgyI&t=3s
        .
        I’ve made a longish comment there.

        • 3
          0

          Dear SM,
          .
          I obviously, as someone who works with Africans, separate tribal Africa from the rest of Africa. I still have a colleague in Kenya. It should not be interpreted as a racial attack. And last week I helped an African man on the street because I love their culture. Now please don’t come with mean attacks. He is a Ghanaian. In my student hostels I had boarding students from different countries in Africa and many other nationalities representing the whole world. So my opinions are based on my experience. This is certainly not comparable to yours.
          I don’t do that with South Asians, because the line between tribal behavior and civilization in Sri Lanka is not clear. It is not a low opinion of our nation, it is true. I think the topic is clear to you, so no need to add here. People don’t care much about facts. Journalists don’t focus on facts. Journalists call themselves “investigative journalists” but behave differently. One good example – Roshan Vatawala/Sirasa TV.

          tbc

          • 3
            0

            continuing.
            .
            Everything in my country is mixed together like a salad in Sri Lanka. People nod, even if they don’t know about at least some of the issues. There is a huge gap between those who have critical knowledge and others who have zero knowledge. Sometimes, many journalists, in their press conference, explain that they are not supposed to be journalists.
            Superstition is extremely high on their agenda. People don’t ask themselves why they do that. Today, more than ever, the Sinhalese people follow false beliefs or gestures. Many of the common social class easily fall for the tricks used by sorcerers and sorcerers. In your UVA province than anywhere else. When poverty is severe, people have no choice but to depend on their witches.

            Every time I go back srilanka I can’t believe my eyes, I become speechless, not being able to continue, but the truth is that Sri Lankans have gone back to their primitiveness decades ago.

            This is not the case in India, which is reported to be more than 60 times the population.
            My eyes can’t believe how young people today fall down in front of their parents as a normal gesture. Believed that parents should take care of the elderly. All this is because the youth is not clear about these topics.

        • 2
          0

          I read SM. I think the British are more conservative than they appear. That is why they are isolated in Europe.

          My colleagues in the UK (British people, not immigrants) would prefer no Brexit. Some who worked for us in Germany had to return to the UK after Brexit. London may be a paradise for Sri Lankans but from my German colleagues and their POV (Germany) it is not. I TOO like the city but high corruption and abuses, we cant stand at all. Every time I come back from London, I feel that they are not the same today (hotel reception to other services). Even in supermarkets, the quality is lower than in countries like Germany, Switzerland and the Netherlands.
          :
          Poverty in that country is increasing more than usual.

    • 7
      2

      S_M
      Is this some kind of veiled threat? If not, why do you even make such remarks?

      ‘I hope that “leelagemalli” objects. …He is truthful…,but then I know all about him. I shall not tell you his name, etc.’

      Bad enough you ‘unveiled’ Hanchopancha (was it?) for all to see.
      I wonder how many other people are regretting having ‘opened up’ to you.

      • 5
        3

        Manel
        To be taken seriously, one needs humility.
        When one places himself on some kind of pedestal and tries to patronize and pass judgment on others, there is something to worry.
        Abusive personal remarks seen here may apply to the user more than to the target.
        Often what we see in others is mostly us.
        *
        CT is a platform allowing anonymity. It is good thing in times of political bullying.
        It is most unethical to demand or declare the identity of one preferring to stay anonymous.
        CT should be strict on personal attack, especially unsustainable stories and ones not in the public interest.

        • 4
          1

          “To be taken seriously, one needs humility” Look who is talking / typing , readers are mature enough to know the difference. (HYPOCRITE).

      • 1
        3

        Dear Manel,
        .
        I’m sure that “leelagemalli” has no such fears. Why don’t you ask him?
        .
        As for “hanchopancha” you surely remember that I had already forwarded one of his emails to you, and that you were avid for more. He is dangerous; you had already accepted that before you took me to task for that “unveiling”. So, it was all right for you to be inquisitive, but not for others.
        .
        If you really want to know about another “unveiled person”, I suggest you examine what appears here:
        .
        https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/the-enliven-economic-revival/
        .
        Please drop this. You are a person with the highest principles, but your memory lets you down. You have written to me as much. I deliberately wrote “written” because we have not spoken to each other – because (and this is something you have mentioned in comments more than once) you are deaf.
        .
        It is heroic for you to keep going. Your comments are always sincere, often brilliant. On certain subjects, you are more knowledgeable than any of us.
        .
        Panini

        • 2
          0

          All what I can say is
          .
          Elephant is in the room, but nobody cares ? why ? Is that my low opinion about our people ?
          .
          LM

    • 5
      0

      “nimal fernando’s standards don’t seem to be very high, either.”

      Gezzze …….. when did I ever claim to have standards? :))

      I leave standards to the infantile ……….. and their playmates.



      Nietzsche puts it: ‘morality defends itself with all its strength against such “possibilities” … Stubbornly and relentlessly it says, “I am morality itself, and nothing else is!”’…….. The result is that we now just accept moral values as given, rather than pursue our own goals and excellences.
      .
      (NIC 211107007JB shaken, not stirred)

      • 1
        0

        Thanks for the National Identity Card number, dear nimal.
        .
        I note that you (or is it nihal?) has been born just two years ago.
        .
        Either way, most precocious guys.
        .
        Readers, I have now decided to give this masochistic guy what he craves: insults, as stinging as I can make them.
        .
        He insults me in turn by reminding me that high quality scones can’t be bought in Bandarawela; not even in Bindunuwewa. And I don’t have a Harley Davidson.
        .
        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IG6M-4DRzQ4
        .
        Explained in Sinhalese as well:
        .
        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mF08Wy_eMqQ
        .
        I thought that maximum engine displacement allowed for a bike in Sri Lanka is 400 cc.
        .
        But any Law is meant to be broken, I guess.
        .
        Panini Edirisinhe (NIC 483111444V)

      • 3
        0

        Nimal,
        “NIC 211107007JB shaken, not stirred)”
        Now, that’s an even more interesting ID than Shiranthi’s.

        • 3
          0

          OC,
          .
          Come to think of it, why is the mainstream media in Sri Lanka not talking about the uncertainty of Shiranti’s national identity card?

          Mahinda’s moronic sons also killed that rugerite (this is true according to emerging evidence) there was no justice in it.

          ..how can that Thadjudeen’s mother turn a blind eye….Justice for that, her situation today is similar to torments of tantalus in that episode, mysterious murder was even worst than that of Jamal Khashoggi (journalist killed, dismembered by saud embassy in Istanbul).
          .
          Who is behind it?
          .
          Even today there are no answers to simple questions, why God?

          Why should the judiciary of this country be a slave of Mahinda Rajapaksa?

          A week ago mlechcha Mahinda prevaricated it again that his brother Gotabaya “left the country for a medical checkup”…. European media is reporting the truth… .. It is clear that the ignorant Rajapaksas are fooling the poor nation again. Poor people are brainwashed forever…… this is the ground reality of the island nation.

          • 2
            0

            LM,
            “Poor people are brainwashed forever…… this is the ground reality of the island nation.”
            Yes, that’s why I have no faith in calls for an early election. What for? To elect another idiot?
            Yes, I know the standard-bearers of “democracy ” are going to jump on me for that!

            • 0
              0

              OC,
              If we oppose the vote, we will be killed. Please beware of the dogs… I’m out of the country, .. they can’t catch me, but you… and all those oppose to them.
              :
              Those who are calling for an election should think again…. Shortly before November 2019, the people thought that the election would result in a significant composition of good MPs, but it was those same idiots who appointed those crooks.

              Any country whose society collapsed after a long war was subject to rebuilding, but our country was not like that… Graduates or not, the entire population believes that the Rajapaksas are descendants of Buddha.

              (Remember when Jackson Anthony made that famous speech at that stadium?). A thousand times more than those who pursue witchcraft believe. It means that people’s thinking patterns are not developed.

              Many of OUR PEOPLE constantly believe that light reactions around a tallest structure (Dagab, common structures in Sri Lanka) are Buddhas.. However, only school physics can easily teach that it is the characteristics of light rays. And light rays have refraction characteristics. Despite the blessing of free education, not many come forward to stand up against the myths spread by the Pinguttaya community. …

      • 4
        0

        nimal fernando

        Where are you?
        Have you replaced soma being Gota’s right and left hand man?
        Did you sneak into Sri Lanka with Gota’s entourage?

        Take care.
        We are worried.

  • 4
    0

    Kumar

    I’m quite shocked that you &, apparently, so many other CTers, support the death penalty.
    I feel it is utterly abhorrent that we still retain it, tho, at least we havent implemented it for many years.

    • 3
      4

      Manel
      Do not be shocked. Be amused, it helps.
      The day since Ranil got elected, the CT’s community of political soothsayers are in a state of quandary.

    • 0
      1

      Manel,
      .
      When I think of a State cold-bloodedly putting somebody to death, I, too, recoil with horror. Pondering it leads to nightmares. We sometimes read these accounts as a painful duty:
      .
      https://www.ajc.com/news/high-profile-executions-the/xcyjsyiD6mwrW41L4pm6vO/
      .
      But sometimes the crimes committed are so horrible that one wonders whether the perpetrators deserve mercy:
      .
      https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/schoolgirl-rape-four-murders-the-1996-rape-murder-of-krishanthi-kumaraswamy-in-jaffna/
      .
      You made no comments there:
      .
      And there is War. As the Ukraine War began, we had some articles on it. I remember your memorable comments here:
      .
      https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/sending-putin-to-america/comment-page-1/#comments
      .
      You were the person who best knew the extent to which Russia was provoked by the West, but I’m sure that you, like me, would now say that war on the scale launched by Putin cannot be justified.
      .
      I’m sure that Kumar is a kindly man; but then we are outraged at the crimes committed (by the Rajapaksas in this instance).
      .
      Aren’t we faced with a dilemma
      .
      The blood of the victim (if the crime was murder) cries out for vengeance; other innocents would like deterrent punishment given; and we must reform the criminal.
      .
      If we execute, how do we rehabilitate the criminal?

      Panini Edirisinhe (NIC 483111444V)

      • 1
        0

        SM, I thought this was a Buddhist country. And even the Christians are told: “thou shalt not kill.” I’m ignorant about other religions.
        There are other, and maybe even worse, forms of punishment — as Leelagemalli has pointed out here, I think. I often skim the text too quickly — I hate reading n a computer screen.
        Yes, long-term imprisonment, even if that costs the state — & in some cases there might be rehabilitation.

        • 1
          0

          Manel,
          “I thought this was a Buddhist country. And even the Christians are told: “thou shalt not kill.” I’m ignorant about other religions.”
          Yes, in theory. But in the real world, Buddhists have been merrily killing Buddhists, and Christians killing each other. Hindus too are good at killing. Muslims of course are allowed to kill, so we can’t blame them.

          • 2
            0

            OC
            The Brahminic Hindu stand is “One may kill a serpent that seeks to kill him”.
            All it takes is to define someone as a serpent and assign an intention for the serpent.

        • 1
          0

          Dear M/
          There is a real big difference between “buddhism ” and ” sinhala buddhism ” / sinhala buddhism is what Rajapakshes promote for their mlechcha politics. True Buddhism is based on non-violence. Even monks in slanka are violent or promoters of violence / hatreds. ☹☹☹☹☹☹

    • 3
      0

      In today ‘s context in SL, contract killers are everywhere. Rajapakshes know them very well and would not allow others to remove from the system.

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

      Strict laws should be introduced when the crime rate is becoming unfathomable by the hour…it is essential. Humans without strict law and order are no different from other races. This is not to be underestimated, the danger before our nation is a thousand times greater than it appears.

      I am against execution, but I am pro LIFE IMPRISONMENT…. if that would be brought back as had been decades ago, this country and nation could learn to be civilized…. that is for sure.

      • 2
        0

        I agree with you LgeM, about life imprisonment. I, myself, would shudder at the thought.

    • 2
      0

      Dear MF and all,
      .
      Crime rate in my home country is increasing hour by hour. Therefore life imprisonment should be imposed… not hanging.

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PsxQUstMtmU
      .
      Sorisena took issue with this, but it was only a script. Now the rope he imported to the gallows will have to be used when he goes to be hanged in the near future.

      I am against hanging or capital punishment, however I am in favor of severe punishment. If strict laws are brought, none of the Rajapaksa family will be able to escape it. I believe that homo sapiens are like other primates in the absence of strict law and order.

      • 2
        0

        LM,
        “If strict laws are brought, none of the Rajapaksa family will be able to escape it.”
        Ah, but lawyers do exist.

  • 1
    1

    Temasek is a limited liability holding company. Normally subsidiaries’ operational managers have the business knowledge, so holding companies leave the responsibility of making profit for the holder, (the majority shareholders) and other minority shareholders, with the business entities (Subsidiaries). Because it is a limited liability company, the Singapore government is not responsible for any management mistakes or business mistakes when losses are made. But it gets its share of profits, if any, made. Government corporations operate with monopoly and prevent any other limited liability company from operating within its circle. When there the competitions are shut off by law, SOF have no yard sticks so there is no P&L, but only I&E and Balance sheet available. Companies under SC must publish their financial statements; but Lankan corporations have no liability like that; they even hide everything for the Auditor General or COPE. They hide every pus dripping wounds within them with Janathi Mahatha’s overrule and declare Langkang has surpassed every country as the Wonder of Asia. The truth is the country is first in Sex industry growth, 2nd heaviest borrower, third high inflation, 4th in Media unsafe, 5th in children malnutrition, …………..one in 19 money laundering patriots, one in 22 heroes use rape as military weapon…………………Unfortunately, Temasek is only a Limited Liability Company so it can never become “Wonder of Asia” Under the management of Viyathmaga.

    Thevangus (Slender-loris)!

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