19 March, 2024

Blog

Mission Impossible

By Godwin Constantine –

Dr. Godwin Constantine

Our country has collapsed. A few hours ago, government spokesperson Bandula Gunawardane announced that fuel supply has come to a standstill and fuel will be available only for essential services. These is no one to blame, no one to look up to.

When Ranil took over the government, as there was no one else to take over, people had some hope that he will be able to bring in much needed dollars to our economy. People gave up protesting withdrew support for the “aragalaya” hoping that things will gradually get better. Ranil did try very hard to get loans or grants, but nothing has come in so far.

Who ever comes the situation will be the same. Leaders can make fancy proclamations about export-oriented economy, digital economy or knowledge-based economy, nothing of these will bring in much needed dollars in short term. More and more borrowing is not the answer to our economic crisis. Our debt would have risen at least by 10% since the beginning of this year. We need to stop borrowing now. Fuel for private vehicle should be temporarily stopped and public transport should be strengthened. Three-wheels should be given fuel under special scheme. Our fuel import should be secondary to reducing future debt burden and imports of essential items.

Our productions are in crisis as a result the exports are dwindling. There are only two sources of income that we can depend on at short term. One is tourism and the other is foreign remittance form our expatriates.

When Ranil was interviewed by the Sky news after taking office as the Prime minister Ranil made his views regarding tourism at this time. He was asked by the interviewer “at the moment would you say (its) safe for tourist to come and visit Sri Lanka” the answer was “well for those who want to have an exciting time should come here and may be even they could take part in the demonstrations. They could hold placards which says the president of Sri Lanka to go home or you could ask the Prime minster of your country to go home, all that is options that is available” The interviewer commented “it’s good to see you light hearted, but it was a serious question, tourism is an important part of any emerging market, your not encouraging people to visit are you it’s a genuine question” Ranil responded saying “ we……wwww we are not discouraging people from visiting but we understand with the shortage of foreign exchange, the demonstrations that are going on and shortage of essentials that they may not visit Sri Lanka at this time”. When a newly selected Prime minster makes such statements who will want to visit Sri Lanka. Probably that’s why our tourism income has dropped to a record low of 54 million USD, half of what we earned in March.

Government must focus on tourism from the time of arrival till they leave every detail has to be looked into to make sure that tourist feel welcomed and looked after. A separate minister can oversee the welfare of tourist to make sure there is fuel and food and other facilities provided as required. There should be an emergency call service facility to attend to tourists needs and encourage tourists to visit this country rather than saying this is not the time to visit. At least the politicians should learn from our spectators at the last ODI against Australia how they showed their gratitude to the visiting Australian team and how the Australian players responded to that gesture. Even the politicians should have got on to the ground and thanked the Australian players for coming to Sri Lanka.

Our foreign remittance had been one of our important avenues of getting dollars. However, since last August there had been a steady decline in the foreign remittance to a record low of 205 million dollars in February 2022 which is now standing at around 250 million dollars. In our crisis this source is a lifeline. So far, the government is trying to send abroad as many as possible to earn the dollars. There are two main reasons fro the decline in remittance, one is the artificially fixing the dollar rate the other is the perception the expatriates have regard high rate of corruption among the politicians and the state officials in our country.

It is no secret that corruption is rampant in the system. Politicians have been cited many a time as defaulters of bank loans. Taking commission for all forms of transactions including during the present crisis is well known. We need to put this right to increase the confidence among our foreign expatriates. If we cannot assure this we are doomed as a nation. There is no point in changing governments and changing parties in every election. People had lots of hope in the so called “Yahapalanaya” government came into power promising many things. Ultimately that government also encouraged corruption and did nothing for the alleged corrupt politicians, it protected them instead. When GR came into power too there was hope that the course of our country will direct to the correct path, unfortunately the reverse happened.

In the above-mentioned interview PM Ranil talks about the “books being cooked” regarding rampant corruption during the previous regime. However, it is worth remembering how many promises and big talks were given during the run up of the election which brought in the so called “Yahapalanaya” government. Ranil’s track record proves him as an unreliable person in this regard.

Some say that we need an election to change the situation. In fact an election might make it worse. However, what we have at present is a new government, a form of selected government which is comparable to an elected new government. What have they done? Practically nothing. This country is our future we need a system change to make it a better place to live.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Latest comments

  • 17
    1

    mission-impossible
    what is the mission?

    to get Sri Lanka out of its current crisis? – from the authors articles this seems to be his mission
    to build a strong economy not reliant on Tourism and remittance form low wage earners in ME?
    to build an all inclusive Sri Lanka?
    to get rid of corrupt politicians?
    to bring back billions looted by Rajapaksas
    to educate the 6.9

    all of the above?

    Thanks to the Rajapaksas the country is doomed – it is indeed mission impossible

    whoever leaves Sri Lanka the last please switch off the lights
    on the other hand
    there wont be any lights to switch off

    • 4
      1

      Godsen: No tourists would come because today Sri Lanka is a US backed Military Dictatorship with US citizen Gotabaya and bondscam Ranil in power. The aragala show provides a facade of democracy!
      The military are on the streets and the Washington Con-circus is in town with US special “advisors” to deepen the economic crisis, asset strip, and turn Sri Lanka into a QUAD military base while people are distracted queuing and protesting at petrol sheds. Ever since RW came to power in a CIA regime change operation on May 12, the military has been on the streets. While the IMF is in Lanka to bailout US ISB Bond holders these 2 weeks there is no fuel and the economy is at a standstill.
      Ships that were bringing oil have disappeared as the US is waging maritime trade, cyber and economic war on Sri Lanka to colonize it and in revenge for rejecting the MCC and SoFA it and also against Russian OIL.
      Is this conspiracy theory? No, the CIA plays all sides – its called Disinformation and Chaos strategy, now a hybrid economic, trade and cyber operation for Full Spectrum Dominance (FSD) or COLONIZATION of Sri Lanka– an Over the Horizon Operation (OTH), in Intel speak!

      • 4
        2

        Also Godsen: Sri Lankans are Guinea Pigs in the US proxy war on China and Russia in the Indian Ocean – and this is why the ships with Russian oil never come and Aeroflot Airlines flights are stopped!

        This is why Sri Lanka’s crisis is ALL STAGED — the fuel shortage and famine to come like the Default– to asset strip Lanka while the IMF bails out the ISB traders!

    • 0
      0

      What were the other options, if RW did not take over `?

      We all know that GOTABAYA is adamant and would not want to change his mind.

      According to the prevailing constitution, incumbent president has the legitimacy to continue until another year or so, if he would not kick the bucket soon OR anyone would not be able to prove that the bugger is mentally ill.
      .
      Why are the constitutional experts staying mum on this ?
      .
      Why dont they discuss in SRILANKEN media yet today ?
      .
      Today, having watched a video posted by Chamudith S with a relative of Mahinda Rajapakshe, I thought all these men are just playing with the sentiments of the very people. They dont seem to take alarming issues seriously.
      .https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eo_Xla4yO9g

  • 30
    1

    When you look back to 1948 when all this started …….. this is the only logical conclusion to “Sinhala Buddhism.”

    The endgame is here …… the king is checkmated.

    • 11
      0

      nimal fernando

      Good to hear from you.
      How are you?

      “The endgame is here …… the king is checkmated.”

      Assuming the the king (who is in his new clothe) is being checkmated and removed, are the plebs going to start the game once again (without the king, queen, bishop, knight, .. and pawn) and fight among themselves for various positions, in the process they destroy themselves eventually?

      Please let us have your theoretical grand plan.

      • 4
        1

        A theory for Native.

        What Lankan leader is fit to lead?

        Very rarely have Lankan leaders led ……. other than to destruction.


        When you look at the inability of the president and the 225 in the parliament to solve any of the current problems …….. one is left to ponder if they ever solved any problems ……. or did the problems solved themselves? :))

        If they can’t solve the problems now …….. how did they solve them before? ……. Did their abilities/capacities melt into thin air overnight?

        Or did they ever had the capacity/ability to solve any problem at all?

        All ye learned esteemed gentlemen make one crucial error …….. you assume Lankan leaders have the capacity to solve problems ……… especially problems of this nature: problems of the economy.

        Shouldn’t we examine the assumptions we make to check if they are true?

        The capabilities/importance of Lankan leaders/politicians are grossly overestimated/overstated.

        Only when the tide goes out …… you discover who’s been swimming naked.

        • 2
          1

          nimal fernando

          “Or did they ever had the capacity/ability to solve any problem at all?”

          On the first day of independence, Our “true” statement deported most hard working people to South India.



          The leaders could not solve any of the problem hence they created new ones so that people were busy dealing with it and with their own growing paranoia. Today we see all those accumulated unsolved problems are being played out in public and parliament ( Yakun Natima – devil dance ritual ) it means nothing to the public who want Gas, Fuel, Electricity, Food, income, … etc. Though racism is no longer the magic wand but it still works.

          Recently Sarath Weerasekera the prince of darkness, Champika, Udaya, Sangili Karuppan, Kamala, Shavendra…… and few others are trying to invoke the old the magic word, LTTE even 13 years after the demise of it, hoping to win back support of their fellow racist, it appears the shine has gone out of LTTE threat however fascist tendency still believes it can regain its popular appeal.

          “Only when the tide goes out …… you discover who’s been swimming naked.”

          It is obvious isn’t it?
          A lot of Sri Lankans/Ceylonese believe and believed they fought and freed themselves from Colonial rule and they are proud about it. However you know better than us (kids) it was and is complete bunkum.

          • 2
            1

            nimal fernando


            “Only when the tide goes out …… you discover who’s been swimming naked.”

            Perhaps emperor is in his “new clothe”.

            Please watch this honourable Journalist Bashana Abeywardane – witness statement at People’s Tribunal Sri Lanka (English)
            https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=shpK9lMABmc

    • 3
      11

      nimal fernando
      “…this is the only logical conclusion to “Sinhala Buddhism.””

      There is no such thing as “Sinhala Buddhism.” This is a term coined by anti-Sinhala Buddhist mafia to tarnish the image of Sinhalayo who follow the teachings of Siddartha Gouthama.
      This country was ruined by Hindu and Catholic Tamil terrorism and terrorism of Wahhabi Muslim fundamentalists.

    • 2
      2

      Nimal, ‘Tamil-Hindu fundamentalism’ is not a new phenomenon. Study the history of Sri Lanka and you will see that it is the main reason for ‘Sinhala Buddhism’ to exist. Centuries of Tamil Hindu invasions and attacks led to the binding of Sinhalese consciousness to Buddhism.

  • 16
    0

    Dr Godwin like 99% of writers you make a good case on many points but you do not address the most URGENT question. How to get fuel into the country NOW, immediately. Even if you overthrow the government, form a national government, change the PM it will not bring petrol/diesel NOW.

    Does it mean we are destined to violence outside petrol sheds, rapid decline in production (and hence exports), stoppage of public transport, no food in shops and stores, etc for several more months?
    This may mean an uprising, anarchy or worse but none of these options will bring in one drop of petrol. EVERYTHING now depends on one thing, getting tankers and tankers of fuel ships to harbour. (Neither you nor I seem to have a now, now solution).

    • 6
      3

      eeakdavi,
      “How to get fuel into the country NOW, immediately.”
      —-
      Fuel shortages are deliberately created by the Government to sell gas stations owned by CEYPETCO to foreigners so that Basil can get his share.

      • 3
        1

        TUCO Eagle Eye

        “Fuel shortages are deliberately created by the Government to sell gas stations owned by CEYPETCO to foreigners so that Basil can get his share.”

        You may be partially right in this occasion pointing out Basil look forward to sharing the proceeds from all state deals. It is a welcome point.

        By the way who created shortages for food, gas, dollar, medicine, papers, …. and unprecedented level of inflation?

      • 5
        0

        Suddenly even Eagle Eye has started talking sense!
        .
        Great!
        .
        Please, let the change be permanent!
        .
        Panini Edirisinhe of Bandarawela (NIC 483111444V)

    • 6
      2

      “with the shortage of foreign exchange, the demonstrations that are going on and shortage of essentials that they may not visit Sri Lanka at this time”. When a newly selected Prime minster makes such statements who will want to visit Sri Lanka”
      Is the author suggesting that tourists should actually visit? For what? Perhaps to enjoy the luxuries of the airport and its Duty Free?
      Or a brickwork to the beach in Negombo? The truth is the truth, whether we like it or not.
      There is only one solution that will bring the oil tankers in immediately. Negotiate economic integration with India. Forget Sovereignty, whatever that is. It would be less humiliating than telling Qatar that we are willing to lift the ban on Qatar Charity in exchange for a few cans of oil. Or even begging Emirates to take back Srilankan.

      • 2
        1

        “A brisk walk to the beach in Negombo “

        • 3
          0

          Ah uh ……… so …… I’m not the only one who makes mistakes; even experts do!

          Sinhala_Man, take note ………. even your best students get it wrong, sometimes ……. :))

        • 1
          0

          (Part II)
          MaRa is amongst us, but definitely no more President!
          He has not been enriched (according to EE) by his own Private Jet to commute in comfort!!!
          LTTE proxyin Uganda is awaiting to serve the Past Executive President on ‘His Command’! “HMV”!?
          Gota no mood ‘Perambulate’ after Mirihana and Jubilee Post” incidents! Confined to sprawling palace, “Presidents House”, remnants of Empire??!!
          Gota doesn’t want to emulate, MaRa, the ‘Macho’. “all conquering”, going and ‘stepping out and in’ awkward places, Thackady ‘home grown’ Bravado!!??
          Entertained by sudden escapades in SLA, standing by (cost to Taxpayer, IMMATERIAL exercise), to assist instances such as egoistic strategic encounter ostensibly, to deliver an “Oxford Oration” (OO) – like those before, LK, Lalith A, et all!!
          Prove “OO” confined to OXFORDIANS incorrect – Ananda dropouts, Thurstanite’s Greenlanders are equally good at it!!!
          “API THAMAI KERE”!!!?? WE ARE THE ONES WHO PERFORM!!
          Old Mynah’s BEST thinking!?
          SE England was in upheaval and Metropolitan Police couldn’t assure protection to HoS!!

      • 3
        0

        old codger

        “It would be less humiliating than telling Qatar that we are willing to lift the ban on Qatar Charity in exchange for a few cans of oil. “

        Let Athuraliye Rathna lift his saffron robe from behind.

      • 1
        0

        OC,
        Good morning.
        Long-time no SPEAK! (Interaction noted)
        “Qatar that we are willing to lift the ban on Qatar Charity (QC) in exchange for a few cans of oil.
        Or even begging Emirates to take back Srilankan (SLA).”!!
        Easiest thing to do and contend with??? USD flows!! Opportunists!!!
        QC was banned, to show Farcical SL patriotism by SL Robbers and Looters of the nation!!??
        Which is of no importance, insignificant and irrelevant anymore, that we have declared Bankruptcy!!
        That was forthcoming as part of the surgery on the spine of MaRa, by the well-known NHS (UK) Orthopaedic Surgeon, who MaRa and his acolytes termed as having born in the WRONG COMMUNITY??!!
        Why these people castigating everyone and sundry with racial remarks, for no known reason, choose one with the birth in the RIGHT COMMUNITY, than a ‘Thambi’!!??
        MaRa has used that degrading remark not to address, but refer to Dilshan M Tilakaratne, the well know and established opening batsman in cricket in derogatory terms in discussion with cricket selectors and SLC!!
        That’s what you call is RETRIBUTION!!???

    • 2
      1

      Eeakdavi, some problems have no solution, and this is one of them.

    • 1
      0

      Eeakdavi,
      Yes there is a way!!
      Definitely!!
      Get Gota to get MaRa, ex-president, ‘OLD MYNAH’ and swindler to get all the “LOOT”, back to Sri Lanka, wherever it may be held now, before the bugger, conks out!!
      Cough it out to the SL Treasury immediately!!!
      Aragalaya, being carried out in Sunshine and Rain by protestors is of no avail in respect of their starvation and/or crippling shortages encountered!?
      5 to 6 billion of USD would make the difference!!!???
      Who will bell the cat????
      Can 6.9 million do it???
      Hope is good, but does not resolve all the problems the country has without resolve and will???

  • 10
    0

    When a newly selected Prime minster makes such statements who will want to visit Sri Lanka

    Sri lankan living in foreign countries are always in demonstration build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete the death of people in petrol station and the electricity so this has an impact back up by Ranil the PM Sri lank and this message make the valid back up. And the whole country is demanding for it.

  • 20
    2

    Plight of Sri Lanka today is the result of impotent, racist leaders it produced since independence.

    Vast majority of the people who voted these leaders can be excused because they are usually ignorant in any country. However, the educated lot cannot be excused.

    Until an enlightened leader comes forward, and accepted by the majority, the country will limp along like Somalia, Lebanon, or Zimbabwe.

    First, the society must live within its means and produce surplus goods and services. Second, exports must bring in more dollars than the imports consume. Accumulated debts must be paid back over the years. Four, it must not embark on unprofitable projects.

    • 4
      7

      Thiru,
      “Plight of Sri Lanka today is the result of impotent, racist leaders it produced since independence.”

      There are no racists among Sinhala leaders. You must be referring to racist separatist Tamil leaders in Yapanaya who promoted Tamil terrorists who terrorized the people in this country for three decades.

      • 4
        0

        TUCO Eagle Eye

        “There are no racists among Sinhala leaders.”

        You are right.
        However there are no Sinhalese leaders. All of them are descendants of South Indian converts.

        You are a descendant of Tuco Benedicto Pacifico Juan Maria Ramirez who was a mercenary captain.

      • 1
        1

        EE,
        Who is saying, that Sinhalese are Racist??
        NO!
        Guilty conscience pricks the Mind???!!!!
        It’s your gyration that is making it sound like that??

      • 0
        1

        EE,
        “There are no racists among Sinhala leaders”
        Fully agree with you!
        First and foremost,
        There are no Sinhala Leaders who are responsible for their actions and are accountable for any wrongs and mistakes committed by them??!!
        That’s why we have situation, inept and incapable President won’t relinquish the Presidency Midterm claiming he would be classified as “FAILED PRESIDENT”??!!
        This is from a person acclaimed as the best suited by the Maha Sangha for this exalted post of Head of State (HoS), Head of Government (HoG) of this Dahrmadeepa!!??
        What more do you need??
        Warped mindset – full-term or mid-term – incumbent, Failure is nothing but cockeyed Failure!!!
        Giving excuses is not a significant Leadership quality??!!
        Surprised the Srilankan army did not inculcate this as a necessary partofit’s training manual!!???
        How can one be a leader, if they do not accept CULPABILITY when mistakes are committed??!!
        TO ERR IS HUMAN!! Human fallibility, unless one claims that they are super human, which he is not!!!
        Therefore, proved there are NO Sinhala Leaders in the community!??
        Therefore, there cannot be, so are NO “SINHALA RACIST LEADERS” in Sri Lanka!!??
        QED!

  • 21
    2

    ” no one to blame”
    This is not true. Going back to GOTA”S acceptance speech the Maha Sanga and the Sinhala Buddhists should take the blame for bringing a pig headed fool to power.
    “When Ranil took over the government, as there was no one else to take over”
    This again is not completely true. There were at least two persons willing to take over govt if Gota was willing to resign or at least give a firm day that he would be leaving. Ranil took the Govt alright but what has he done with it? Are people better off now than when he took over?
    One family controlling over 75% of the budget ruined this country and the economy. While talking about the need of dollars and an export economy the country was going for over 10 hrs without power. What are you going to export if you cannot manufacture?
    I agree that public transport should be strengthened but just lip service is not going to move the needle. Considering how congested Colombo is, light rail was a good option. That was one of the first things this idiot cancelled.
    Everyone is talking about encouraging tourism, but Sri Lanka at the moment does not have a environment for that.

    • 9
      2

      Bert

      “Ranil took the Govt alright but what has he done with it?”

      I understand your frustration with Ranil, however you must understand he is not a superman like Gota or Prabaharan, who could single handedly bring changes over night.

      When you have an Anunayaka who believed in Gota, and Gota alone could solve this island’s problems, saying:

      ‘If They Call You A Hitler, Then Be A Hitler And Build This Country,’ , ‘What we need is a leadership that has the blessings of Mahinda Rajapaksa and is linked with Buddhism, the Buddhist Order and the Sinhalese. We can see that the law has completely broken down. We need a leader who shows fidelity to the doctrine (dahami naayakayek),’

      The 6.9 million and the rest were silent. They should have taken to street, protesting against the Anunayaka.

      By the way the conflicts and problems didn’t start with Gota, Mahinda, …. or Ranil and the entire country is responsible for letting the country digging its own grave.
      We need to look at where it all started, please revisit the public racist Anagarica Homeless Dharmapala’s contribution to racism, bigotry and systematic destruction of this island. He concocted a new identity/race, Sinhala/Buddhists new religion Sinhala/Buddhism which has created a vicious downwards spiral.

      • 3
        9

        Native Vedda,
        “…public racist Anagarica Homeless Dharmapala’s contribution to racism, bigotry and systematic destruction of this island.”
        —-
        No point in blaming Anagarika Dharmapala. Indigenous Sinhala Buddhists who accommodated foreigners in Sinhale should take the responsibility for the destruction of this country. Descendants of those foreigners stabbed in the back of Sinhala Buddhists by resorting to terrorism and ruined the economy of this country.
        Sri Lanka has spent 32.84 billion USD since 1983 to fight against Tamil terrorists. The damage to the economy by terrorist attacks carried out by Muslims is yet to be calculated.

        • 3
          1

          “The damage to the economy by terrorist attacks carried out by Muslims is yet to be calculated.”

          Spot on! …….. The Rajapakses are Muslim immigrants from Malaya …….. carried out the terrorist attack better than anyone ……. 9/11 in the shade ……

          Appreciate your candour EE. :))

        • 1
          3

          “Sri Lanka has spent 32.84 billion USD since 1983 to fight against Tamil terrorists.”

          If one includes the loss in potential tourist revenue, the figure is well over a trillion USD, enough to pay off today’s debt with a $950 billion USD surplus left over. People blame Raja clan for fiscal mismanagement, regardless of the merits of that argument, Raja would not have been elected to office without the civil war & Easter attacks. Raja clan was the only group with a real solution to ending terrorism. 20 years of negotiation involving India, SL, Norway, etc. had failed. My point is, the country was a failed state long before Raja. Raja clan inherited a failed state. By failure, I mean economically. 16 trips to the IMF, overreliance on foreign remittances and tourism. These are not sustainable.

          • 2
            1

            “Raja would not have been elected to office without the civil war & Easter attacks.”
            For once and at long last the truth is coming out??!!
            One an lie and suppress truth, but by gods grace the truth comes out!!???
            So the immigrants from Malaya did the needful and sacrificed lives of innocent Christians on Easter Sunday 2019!!
            All to win elections and become President and then found unfit as he was sleeping at the helm whilst the country went to ruins!!!
            One hell of an individual accredited as the most suited personae to lead the country by the Maha Nayakes of this country.
            His Presidency after 2.5 years, becomes the Failed Presidency with people starving and dying!!??
            Never before has this happened in Sri Lanka, even during the height of the civil war!!!
            Sri Lankan Sinhala Buddhists (SB) trusted the Maha Nayakes, 6.9 million voted Gota for this misery!?
            One can see the disastrous result after 2.5 years??!! Destitute and Despair is the result!!??
            Henceforth, be circumspicious of this kind of people as you are led up the ‘Garden Path’!!!

        • 2
          1

          (Part !)
          EE.
          Calculations are all convoluted.
          Find some excuse for the Looting and Robbing by the Messiah, who acts a Paymaster to foist and deflect the incompetency of 6.9 million elected Weeraya, who was sleeping and in deep slumber, whilst the country was ruined by the people who were appointed by him (he didn’t want merit based comprehensively assessed individuals through the Constitutional Councils, amended the constitution to repeal 19 A and replace with authoritarian 20th A to be appointed, except his own mind set) to run the economy!!!
          Now not accountable and not responsible?? Who is responsible???
          Dare say it is the responsibility of the 6.9 million Sinhala Buddhists to make sure remediation is effected for this ‘silly’ Folly!!!
          Causing dire consequences not only to the 6.9million SB’s, but to the entire 20+ million SL citizens, youth and children. Starvation, and suffering for no fault of them, except electing a non electable!!
          President so elected doesn’t move away so the IMF and International community, decides to provide AID, because he doesn’t want his term as failed Presidency???
          That’s TOM BUFOONERY to say the least on this imbecilic attitude??!!!

        • 2
          1

          (Part II)
          You are preventing an enabled or able person to be elected/appointed as President and accomplish whatever you failed to do in 3 years to provide a starvation free, healthy lifestyle??
          Your vistas of Prosperity and Splendour for Sri Lankans has been blown with the Wind, which also took the ‘sails’ of the Catamaran of which you were at the helm!!??
          Your primary duty was to do so in a safe manner to provide prosperity and abundance!!??
          You did the reverse?!!
          Filed on all counts, dare say, unless you think you are the elected “HEAD OF BUFOONS IN Sri Lanka”
          THAT IS THE BLATANT TRUTH
          WHETHER 1 YAER, 2 YAERS OR FULL TERM OF 5 YEARS IS IMMATERIAL!!!
          FACT IS YOU HAVE FAILED BECAUSE YOU DIDN’T GOVERN – YOU WERE ABSENT AT THE HELM AND RUDERLESS EECUTIVE, WITH ALL THE POWERS THAT YOU WANTED, YOU DIDN’T KNOW TO DO??!!
          YOU HAVE NOT REACHED THE MARK!!
          “Failed no doubt” – whether one vacates or Not!!

        • 0
          1

          (Part II)
          At the height of the RELM (?), THEY CONTROLLED 75% OF THE NATIONAL BUDGET OF REPUBLIC!!??
          MY FOOT REPUBLIC AND DEMOCRACY, WHICH WAS MAYHEM, IDIOSYNCRATIC KILLING – INSANITY!!
          “Thence, 0nwards, it was open slather for robbing, looting, stacking, ill-found wealth overseas under the names of subservient people who went overseas on menial jobs as cover, who overnight became multi-millionaires, able to invest on Tyre manufacturing plants in 3rd world countries!!
          Latest UGANDA – Café Ceylon!!!
          Santa Monica Principality in Europe and other Tax Havens???
          If he (MaRa the King) could explain in lucid language by himself to the public, REGAIN THEIR TRUST AND CONFIRDENE, the “The MaRa Brood” could well continue to RULE, REIGN OR GOVERN, Isle of Paradise, ‘Tear Drop’, resplendent Land at the southernmost Tip (‘Kannya Kumai’ – Cape Comorin) of the Indian subcontinent, admired by many seafarers of yore!!??
          NOW STARVING TO DEATH FOR LACK OF USD, and the earning have vanished into ballooning private bank accounts of you know who??? People owning multimillion USD worth mansions in the salubrious west coast of USA!!
          Fables of kindergarten are in the shade, because the Lord Messiah declared these are the real FABLES HENCEFORTH OF MaRa BROOD KINGDOM!!??

        • 0
          0

          EE,
          Your ref.,
          “No point in blaming Anagarika Dharmapala. Indigenous Sinhala Buddhists who accommodated foreigners in Sinhale should take the responsibility for the destruction of this country.”
          The greatest and best JOKE of the year and for the past 40 years??!!
          The maestro, Weeraya and Messiah, who did the destruction is the War Winning Defence Secretary, cum Executive Incumbent President!!
          He did in two and a half years what Prabhakaran could not do in 30 years??!! 1/60th of the time span???
          What a Wonder??
          Why are you blaming all and Sundry??
          The President should own up, if you are an Officer and Gentleman YET??!!
          Why Not???
          Nothing but scums of the earth, who shifting blame opportunistically!!
          Failed Presidency caused by 20th amendment, 2/3rd Majority and 6.9 Million Voters, mainly Sinhala Buddhists, deceived by false promises and election fund raisers utter deceptive self centered/self-serving fabricated lies!!!
          Include the mastery of criminality of the Easter 2019 Mass murder of 200+ to draw attention to Security and the non-governance of Yahapalanaya and grab power???!!
          Killing is 2nd nature to the Medamulana Kaputas, to achieve their goals or whatever??!!

        • 1
          0

          EE,
          Morning.
          “No point in blaming Anagarika Dharmapala.”
          Fully agree to that sentiment!!
          One cannot deny is the world renowned fact!!??
          THE WAR HERO INCUMBENT EXECUTIVE PRESIDENT DID ACHIEVE, IN TWO AND A HALF YEARS WHAT PRABHAKARAN YEARN AND COULD NOT DO IN 30 YEARS??!!
          EP GOTA ACHIEVED IN 1/60TH OF THE TIME SPAN THE SAME ASPIRATION???
          Great Indeed!
          What do we Sri Lankans going to award him with??!!

      • 1
        1

        NV,
        How could even being a Hitler could solve the problem in the country??
        That chosen one also has to, have inherent good brains and agility to think and ensure one is able to meet contentious issues and solve them speedily and promptly to ensure expeditious and optimised recovery!!??
        Failed president or not, when you don’t have that innate ability, you are bound to lose and the need to recognise errors and proffer an apology and move forward??!!??
        The president has waxed eloquent on computer knowledge, and may I say this is likened to ‘rebooting’ the computer after an error has occurred in the system!!
        Nothing to be ashamed of at being a failure – One should acknowledge, apologise & move forward!
        CHILDISH TO SAY THE LEAST!!!???
        This is the personae, the learned and eminent Anunayake wanted???!!!
        Do not blame GOTA, but the Anunayake who is a person sought out by many and giving advice to many more millions and the suitability of such advice, in the light of this exposure!!??
        Let those millions of Buddhist rethink, how and why and from whom they should get advice??!!

    • 4
      0

      Well said. Indeed the blame should be placed on Gota the Rajapaksa family, and the regime, for bringing this country down. Ranil is no savior either, he has an ugly record of being a total incompetent leader, so let us have no hopes that he will turn this mess around.

      People were stupid enough to vote for the Rajapaksa family, knowing jolly well, that they are extremely corrupt, and that the family acts like this country was their family business, taking commissions for useless ports, airports, bridges, and huge government contracts from foreign companies. The people of Sri Lanka are suffering tremendously, just like the people of Zimbabwe did, and you can bet Namal, Yoshitha and Chichi and their families, are still living the good life, with gas for their luxury vehicles, and air conditioned comfort. They don’t have a damn clue how the common man struggles on a day to day basis, standing in long lines, no transport to get to places, and wondering how to feed the family. They should get those billions of dollars from their off shore accounts and give some relief to the people in this country.

      Damn the Rajapaksa’s and their corruption, greed, incompetence, and arrogance, that has resulted in this country collapsing, and no relief in sight, and damn those who were their enablers.

  • 11
    1

    “. This country is our future we need a system change to make it a better place to live.“
    Ranil W has again given “OXYGEN “ to his friends and Saviours in the form of RAJAPAKSAS. There are NO SIGNS for system change and rest of the World are not keen to have any dealings with the SL as long as Rajapaksas are holding on their President post and MP posts. We need the new constitution that clips the POWERS of the President asap

  • 8
    1

    There is not one single individual or party who has the knowledge, wisdom nor the ability to get Srilanka out of this mess. It has to come from out, yonder. The only plausible prospective is for India to annex Sri Lanka attaching as a state of India. It is imperative that we stay well clear from China who exploited the selfish Rajapakshes by baiting them to agree to build Mattala Airport, Hambantota Seaport and Lotus Tower the primary reason which plunged the country into total bankruptcy.

  • 8
    4

    Most of us think that once dollar comes to this country problems are solved. Our mentality, our attitude, our thinking are going around solving the dollar question but not about solving the problems because you want to keep the same attitude, the same culture, the same political system and political masters, the same religious fundamentalism, the same corruption etc.
    For the past 75 years what was our mission. Is it a country for Buddhist only, Sinhala only country?
    What happened to the so called patriotism now when the country is facing a threat of collapse? Did any of the so called patriots sacrificed any of their wealth to earn the needed to this country. For example, the ruling Rajapaksa family or Ranil family is considered as the richest families in the South East Asia. What contribution they personaly made to this country so far? They still want to get everything free from people.
    It is estimated more than 3 million Sri Lankan diaspora live around the world? Why they did not contribute to this country at this status? Recently I read a news item that an organization based on Swiss said that they are prepared to give the necessary funds to buy fuel if the government has a plan.

    • 2
      10

      “For example, the ruling Rajapaksa family or Ranil family is considered as the richest families in the South East Asia. What contribution they personaly made to this country so far.”

      Rajapakse family eliminated (Tamil) Tiger suicide terrorism from the country, once and for all. People who lived under the threat of suicide bombs appreciate this contribution. As political leaders, Raja have made some mistakes. They will be elected out when the time is right. That is how democracy works. They will not have a “Nanthikadal Moment.”

      • 2
        0

        “Rajapakse family eliminated (Tamil) Tiger suicide terrorism from the country, once and for all. “
        Lester,
        Are you sure? Why you have still more than two third of your military in the North East? are saying that it is Rajapaksa family killed Tigers or is it a combination of other factors? So all the military and even Foeld Marshal Sarath Fonseka are playing games in the field while Rajapaksas are killing LTTE?
        Are you saying that Rajapaksas are only made some mistakes? Can you tell what are these some mistakes? I asked you what financial contribution they made to the economic crisis but you are talking about something happened 12 years back? It clearly shows that you are not worried about your Sinhalese brothers and sisters who are going to die in hunger because of those “some mistakes”.

      • 3
        1

        Lester the lying Jester

        “As political leaders, Raja have made some mistakes.”

        One mistake , being born in this island.

    • 3
      11

      Ajith,
      “For the past 75 years what was our mission. Is it a country for Buddhist only, Sinhala only country?”

      Not at all. If indigenous Sinhala Buddhists wanted to make Sinhale a Sinhala Only and Buddhist Only country why they:
      • Accommodated Tamils, Muslims and Malays in their country and gave them citizenship with same rights enjoyed by indigenous Sinhalayo?
      • Passed ‘Prevention of Social Disabilities Act’ (No.21 of 1957)’ giving the opportunity to low caste Tamils (Dalits) in Yapanaya to attend schools for the first time?
      • Passed Standardization giving the opportunity to Tamils who live outside Yapanaya and Colombo to enter universities?
      • Made learning Tamil compulsory for Sinhala students and learning Sinhala compulsory for Tamil students to promote greater interaction between the two communities and reconciliation?
      • Give Government holidays to Tamil Thai Pongal Day, Maha Shivratri, Puthandu, Good Friday, Eid al-Fitr, Prophet’s Birthday, Diwali and Christmas Day?
      • Gave Minister posts to Tamils and Muslim politicians?
      • Allowed to build Kovils, Mosques and Churches all over the country?
      • Allowed large number of Tamils from NE to move to Sinhala areas after Tamil terrorists were defeated?

    • 0
      10

      Ajith,
      “For example, the ruling Rajapaksa family or Ranil family is considered as the richest families in the South East Asia.”
      —-
      Tamils do not give up the dirty habit of fabricating lies. In the first place Rajapakshe family and Ranil family do not belong to South-East Asia. I checked the list of richest families in Asia, South Asia and South-East Asia but names of Rajapakshe family or Ranil Family are not in those lists.
      Correct me if I am wrong.

      • 2
        1

        TUCO Eagle Eye

        “Tamils do not give up the dirty habit of fabricating lies.”

        True, Sir Pon Ramanathan should not have listen to the Public Racist Anagarica Homeless Dharmapala, and refused his plea:

        Anagarika Dharmapala wrote to Sir P Ramanathan, on October 21, 1915: “Please accept my sincerest congratulations for the historic speech you made at the Ceylon Legislative Council. The day you are taken away from Ceylon, from that day, there will be none to defend the poor, neglected Sinhalese. They are a doomed people, with none to guide and protect them. Unhappy Sinhalese. It is time to commence agitation in Ceylon to have Ceylon brought under the Government of India. Without the protecting shadow of India, Ceylon would decline. Ceylon should be brought under the India Office and made part of Madras or Bengal. You will, I hope, do all you can to save the poor Buddhists for you are trying to save the people from injustice.”

        Ramanathan should not have listen to the public racist, have avoided the risky journey to UK and should have let them to rot in Colonial prison by telling the truth. Ramanathan lied.

      • 1
        1

        “Tamils do not give up the dirty habit of fabricating lies.”
        Is such statement proper.
        “The dirty habit of fabricating lies” is there in every community— but not everybody in a community, nor even most.

      • 1
        1

        (Part I)
        EE,
        Good morning!!
        “I checked the list of richest families in Asia, South Asia and South-East Asia but names of Rajapakse family or Ranil Family are not in those lists.
        Correct me if I am wrong?”
        You are CORRECT perhaps, they do not appear in “RICH List” of South East Asia (SEA), South Asia (SA) or South India (SI)??!!
        Irrelevant and immaterial!!??
        True enough they would not, “Rich List” conveniently ‘for your thrust and reasoning’, are made out based on recognised, incomes gained by the person or Family as a group under review??!!

        The recognised income of this ‘BROOD’ (MaRa “the King family”) who are mainly “Brief less” ‘Attorneys-at-Law’, who strut around SL Parliament and spend their entirety in politics, who had no vehicle owned by the family!!
        That’s the blatant fact, of Brood, who are mainly ‘Brief less Attorneys-at-Law’, who strut around SL Parliament and spend their entirety in politics!! Recognised income is President’s, PM’s. Ministers’, MPs’ pay for the respective duration, since 1970 to date!!
        Other incomes have been appearing as Attorney for ‘Mothers Front’, Tsunami Fund Wrought, Nithya Senani Samaranayake fraud thru’ Namal’s legal entity etc.
        How does one explain the following!!!??
        (Continued)

      • 1
        1

        (Part II)
        At the height of the RELM (?), THEY CONTROLLED 75% OF THE NATIONAL BUDGET OF REPUBLIC!!??
        MY FOOT REPUBLIC AND DEMOCRACY, WHICH WAS MAYHEM, IDIOSYNCRATIC KILLING – INSANITY!!
        “Thence, 0nwards, it was open slather for robbing, looting, stacking, ill-found wealth overseas under the names of subservient people who went overseas on menial jobs as cover, who overnight became multi-millionaires, able to invest on Tyre manufacturing plants in 3rd world countries!!
        Latest UGANDA – Café Ceylon!!!
        Santa Monica Principality in Europe and other Tax Havens???
        If he (MaRa the King) could explain in lucid language by himself to the public, REGAIN THEIR TRUST AND CONFIRDENE, the “The MaRa Brood” could well continue to RULE, REIGN OR GOVERN, Isle of Paradise, ‘Tear Drop’, resplendent Land at the southernmost Tip (‘Kannya Kumai’ – Cape Comorin) of the Indian subcontinent, admired by many seafarers of yore!!??
        NOW STARVING TO DEATH FOR LACK OF USD, and the earning have vanished into ballooning private bank accounts of you know who??? People owning multimillion USD worth mansions in the salubrious west coast of USA!!
        Fables of kindergarten are in the shade, because the Lord Messiah declared these are the real FABLES HENCEFORTH OF MaRa BROOD KINGDOM!!??

  • 5
    4

    Run, Ranil run. You are a dirty old city fox scavenging bins.

    • 2
      0

      T
      Do not forget that there were quite a few racing Ranil for the same ‘bin’.

  • 6
    1

    “Our country has collapsed.”
    So why are we wasting time talking about salvaging the situation?

    • 2
      1

      We are talking about it simply because Mao’s ***** carriers don’t hand this little island over to China on the cheap. We have a handful of Mao’s ***** carriers who are determined do exactly the same.

      • 2
        1

        At last a mission in life– Bravo!

  • 6
    1

    “When Ranil took over the government, as there was no one else to take over, people had some hope that he will be able to bring in much needed dollars to our economy.”
    Which people had hope?
    Whoever had hope had reason to be disappointed.
    Ranil took charge not because there was none else for the country, but there was none else that GR could work with.
    *
    “We need to stop borrowing now.”
    True, but not precisely “now”. For a start, should we rush to the IMF?
    *
    “Government must focus on tourism from the time of arrival till they leave every detail has to be looked into to make sure that tourist feel welcomed and looked after.”
    Frankly, but for some rotten experiences, visitors are very impressed with local warmth, helpfulness and hospitality. What more do we need to pamper the tourist? Have a personal attendant for each visitor?
    *
    “There are two main reasons fro the decline in remittance, one is the artificially fixing the dollar rate the other is the perception the expatriates have regard high rate of corruption among the politicians and the state officials in our country.”
    A rather oversimplified picture I would say.

  • 3
    4

    Our country has changed a lot now in order to beg from those who were banned by our Buddhist Government as international Terrorist Organizations. Today, one of our minister who went to beg (not sure whether he wear yellow cloth) with a pot said that you are welcome to our country and I beg you will give donate me few dollars. Similarly now they are going around the world with the begging pots from all those banned organizations including LTTE. We all can remember they branded and arrested some Muslims MPs, journalists and accused a Muslim doctor did operation of women and banned some charities from Arab countries. This is the real face of Buddhist Sinhala Fundamentalism.

  • 2
    1

    The WAY to get the country back on track we need to dissolve the Parliament, clip the powers of the President fully and appoint ‘ABLE’ people to form an interim Government.
    I am sure the Diaspora and rest of the world will guide us out of the worsening situation ( get oil etc)

  • 8
    5

    AftercIndepence the etnic policy of sucessive Singhla governmnets pushed the country to this bankruptcy.
    even noe politicinas like Weerwansa has not chnged. Uneductaed politicians like him should not
    be in parliamnet. The bext place for them is the jail .Law should be passed to take back swindled maney .Maximum damage was done by Rajapkase dynasty. There are few options
    1. Sri Lanka becoming a statae of India like Andaman islans and Pondicery . Remmber Madras Presidency during British rule
    2 Or. Let North and Eastt a state of India
    3. Meet the conditions laid by Expatraite Tamils and get dollarsfrom them
    4. Pass a laaw to get rid of poresidency and return to westminister system of parliamnet
    5. Put plasters in the mouths of politicinas who talk rubbish

    • 1
      1

      Kuviyum,
      “1. Sri Lanka becoming a statae of India like Andaman islans and Pondicery . Remmber Madras Presidency during British rule
      2 Or. Let North and Eastt a state of India”

      North East is a part of Sinhale, the Land of Sinhalayo and Vedda Eththo and cannot be a State in India but turning Sinhale/Sri Lanka to a State in India is not a bad idea. Then Sinhala only will be the official language in State of Sinhale. Can send Tamil speaking people irrespective of their religion back to their homeland Tamil Nadu.

  • 2
    2

    Thanks, Dr Constantine,
    .
    You have suggested no solutions; never mind, none of us can.
    .
    However, it is good to have non-politicians telling these two guys, elected President who has lost support, and rejected UNP leader now Prime Minister after creeping in to Parliament on the votes that came in from “Kapuwath Kola” types throughout the country that what they are doing is downright immoral.
    .
    You have written articles before, but recently I’ve noticed comments from “nrconstantine”. It’s good to have professional people telling MaRa that posterity will judge him and his relatives harshly.
    .
    More and more citizens who don’t pretend to be wizards ought to write. My view is different from yours; it’ll cost a lot, but Gota must hold elections within six months, and announce the date today.
    .
    Panini Edirisinhe of Bandaawela.

  • 1
    1

    There are rumours that the declaration of curfew is imminent. The time is 12.07 am.
    .
    I may be wrong!
    .
    nimal and old codger, here’s fifty minutes of Palki Sharma:
    .
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hy-Sgdw4Xfs
    .
    Significant things about Lanka starting at 25 minutes. But there is much else here – a brilliant report. With conditions for living in the island so bad, I’d stopped following world events. Lots of stuff here that we need to digest.
    .
    There are problems the world over, but nowhere has it got any worse than in Lanka.
    .
    Our main problem is that with no transport, we can’t find ourselves FOOD. We humans, unlike insects, need “balanced diets”. Their lives are short, but we Lankans want to live a hundred years. Well, the IMF may have “assured” us that they will help us, but not until “we” have a plan. We’ve got to get ourselves a government that will formulate a credible plan.
    .
    https://www.cnbc.com/2022/06/30/imf-sri-lanka-bailout-talks-end-without-a-deal.html
    .
    This commentator is level-headed and has a suitably serious approach:
    .
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MsX-qTGmqOo
    .
    Twenty-four minutes in Sinhala. That is the language that matters; Tamil speakers, bear with us!
    .
    Panini Edirisinhe of Bandarawela

  • 0
    1

    The solution is to get the dollars this country would have had , if it was not robbed. Either get it back legally through lawyers who will support or the better way is for the family and robbers to voluntarily donate what they cannot fully use from the hidden dollar accounts all over the world. They need to understand that they cannot enjoy it all during this short spell of life on earth alone.

Leave A Comment

Comments should not exceed 200 words. Embedding external links and writing in capital letters are discouraged. Commenting is automatically disabled after 5 days and approval may take up to 24 hours. Please read our Comments Policy for further details. Your email address will not be published.