By Ranil Wickremesinghe –
Ranil Wickremesinghe
The United National Party welcomes the visit of President of Peoples’ Republic of China and General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party Xi Jinping to Colombo this week.
China is a long time friend of Sri Lanka and our two countries share a deep cultural, economic and political relationship. Together, our two nations have weathered many storms and collaborated effectively for the mutual benefit of our peoples.
During World War II, China fought alongside Europe and Asia against fascist forces threatening the peace of the world. Ceylon, under the United National Party Government became one of the first countries of the world to recognise the Peoples’ Republic of China in 1950. Our economic ties were strengthened in 1952 by the Ceylon China Trade Agreement of 1952, when under the leadership of then Commerce Minister under the UNP Government R.G. Senanayake, the two countries signed the Rubber-Rice Pact. Sri Lanka paid a price for signing the agreement, when the US halted aid to Sri Lanka and stopped selling their sulphur to Colombo, a much needed material for rubber cultivation in the island. Yet the Rubber-Rice pact became one of the most successful and sustainable trade agreements in the world.
When China decided to liberalise trade and open its economy to the world, Beijing’s leaders turned to Sri Lanka for lessons learnt in liberal trade and attracting investment, sending its economists and trade specialists to Colombo to study the work of the Greater Colombo Economic Commission that preceded the current Board of Investment.
Initiated by the UNP Government, China became one of Sri Lanka’s foremost partners in its fight against terror. Beijing’s support continued until the war finally ended in May 2009. Under President Xi Jinping, China has undertaken an effective anti-graft drive, aimed at increasing transparency and accountability in Government across the system. Under the system, local government officials are no longer permitted to use luxury hotels and thousands of officials have been punished for disciplinary violations, including the hosting of lavish banquets, spending public funds on travel, the improper use of government vehicles and constructing luxurious government buildings.
His Excellency Jinping will observe that Sri Lanka is engaged in its own battle against raging corruption and nepotism that has become a grave strain on the country’s economy. As the main opposition, the UNP is adamant that the country should embark on an anti-corruption campaign of its own, that ensures that elected representatives and government figures are accountable to the people of Sri Lanka for every cent, borrowed and spent. The UNP hopes this campaign will reach across the spectrum of economic activity, including in the sphere of development assistance, grants and other types of commercial and humanitarian funding.
Finally, it is an honour to have His Excellency in Sri Lanka on this important visit and we hope that Sri Lanka-China relations can continue to prosper and stand strong through the years, based on mutual respect and amity.
*Statement Issued by Ranil Wickremesinghe, Leader of the United National Party – September 15, 2014
Tamodaya / September 16, 2014
Everyone loves China!
Where are the China haters?
/
Mallaiyuran / September 16, 2014
I salute to you. Listen Tmaodaya, you and me never believed Ranil. But CT’s writers and commentators are dying for Ranil. So, can you, please, rewrite the you question addressing direct to the CT writers and commentators, instead addressing it to China haters.
In between all these, there is a cry for common candidate. It appears your King will be the best common candidate, so far, for the UNP and the JVP.
I want to hear it from Fonseka too. Anura Kumara need not to say. If not China, either Cuba or even Russia will be his choice. That is OK. It would not be big deal.
America did not just cut the sulfur, the most important think, Oil is blocked by America.Even China is the one paid for that for in Yuvan.
America wants its dollar back to its country. That is why is did not want to give it as aid to Lanka. While China gives the most important free rice for slave Indian labor produced rubber, America allows only the useless GSP+ for the Sinhala Girls produced Garments. This is how America Guarantee its dollar coming back. When Lanka gets the Dollar from GSP+, it will be handed over to China, the corruption free country as repayment for the loan borrowed for Commission and loan. Then it comes backs to Lanka as lobby money as to modify American policy in favor of China. When Lanka pay the PR firms bills, Ranil’s accounting is balanced.
Ranil has always better Idea. If you can’t beat them join them.
/
Dinuk / September 16, 2014
Seem that Ranil the UNP dictator is trying to sound Presidential here – giving us a potted history lesson of how China needed advice from potty Lanka on how to run the Chinese economy!
The guy is delusional!
What next from this loser who has failed miserably to speak the truth and expose the Rajapaksa regime to educate the moda Sinhala voters of Lanka!
The most useless so-called leader of the opposition ever!
/
S.Modaya / September 16, 2014
Right on Dinuk!
Anura Kumara from the JVP is a far better opposition leader and has been exposing Rajapaksa’s corruption and challenging the election circus in Sri Lanka, while Ranil simply keeps contesting and loosing in the election circus that Jarapassa has organized to run circles round Ranil and the UNP.
Ranil should be challenging the staggered elections, corruption and abuse of state and national resources.. and if at all should send a strong message to China not to promote corruption and dictatorship by supporting Jarapassa’s family rule in the Miracle of Modayas..
What a loser!
/
eusense / September 16, 2014
Dinuk,
You are far behind! Ranil works for MR.
/
Dude / September 17, 2014
Ranil is terribly “diplomatic” and has difficulty telling the truth about anything!
Chinese antics in the South China sea have pissed off all the neighbors – Vietnam, Japan, S.Korea, Philippines, and other ASEAN countries etc. in South East Asia.
So the Chinese Premier is now on a charm offensive and vote buying trip in South Asia..
No mention of all this is Ranil’s potted history!
/
Don Stanley / September 18, 2014
UNP should be asking for the Environmental impact assessment for the Colombo Port city that China is building to own and operate.
What are Harsha de Silva and Eran doing – more trips to the Colombo zoo?
/
Amoeba / September 16, 2014
The JHU who are openly pro-Zionist Satanic alliance with the full backing of Rajapakse’s. Sri Lankan state is now a part of the Zionist project of annihilation of the world population. State media and the private media are all under the full control of Zion Media.
Watch the following video to get a clear picture of the Zionist mass murder that none of the Sinhala Mafia gang of JHU,MR, 90% local media(The anti minority mafia) will never condemn.
The Coverup of Zionist Organized Crime!: http://youtu.be/y3GMDcFOq0g
/
The Observer / September 16, 2014
“If you can’t beat them, join them” seems to be the new UNP strategy under Ranil!
Good for the ‘boys’ who run the UNP hese days.
/
Amarasiri / September 16, 2014
“Where are the China haters?”
They are the Japanese and the Indians!
/
Native Vedda / September 16, 2014
Tamodaya
“Everyone loves China!”
No one loves this island.
“Where are the China haters?”
Where are the island lovers?
/
Lapatiya / September 16, 2014
No body hates China. History says two Countries are friendly Countries. No Leader was trying to sell Land or start projects just for commissions like Palatine Star does.
/
senaka de Z. Sirwardena / September 16, 2014
[Edited out] – We are sorry, the comment language is English – CT
/
K.A Sumanasekera / September 16, 2014
Obviously Abe hasn’t given this Buffoon an audience….
A retraction with an apology for threatening ,that the UNP Christian Faction in Government wouldn’t pay back the Chinese people’s Superannuation money would have gone down better with the Chinese Embassy in Colombo.
/
BBS Rep / September 16, 2014
Ranil,
Despite you trying to curry favour with the Dragon with this piece on CT, Xi Jinpeng’s visit will only enhance MaRa’s Cabal. The Chinese know how awfully Sri Lanka is mismanaged. They are aware of the high levels of corruption and nepotism of the MaRa regime. The Chinese are part of the problem of the present day travails of the Sri Lankan poor and not the solution.
They did not support our war effort out of love for our people. But the results show that it was a self serving excercise. The Chinese have got a plum port, prime lands in Colombo and Trincomalee uprooting the traditional owners with scant regard, getting contracts for white elephant projects and the list goes on. China has got more for its efforts than the other way about. Sri Lanka will forever repay the high amount of borrowings from China. China has got the Sri Lankans by the balls.
/
N.Wimaladasa / September 16, 2014
Beside ideological and political differences between UNP and China that we have accept the world large sources of Investment and Trade is People’s Republic of China. That is why President of China ongoing visit is very important our Nation.
After defeated of ruthless LTTE Tamil terrorism 2009 May, that MR and National alliances has attracted Chinese investment developing that our national economy. In reality 30 years WAR ON TERRORISM ,we have lost chance of developing our national economy was stagnated by long years terrorist act of violence’s in North and South since 1965 JVP came into existence.
While WAR TONE ECONOMY OF ISLAND THAT WAS NEEDED TO ADDRES AND REDRESSESS BY NATIONAL ECONOMY IN THE PATH OF DEVELPEMNT. Then MR ruling alliance has approach many investors including China, which PRC play major role among them. Huge projects oriented capital investment funds had been allocated by China since specially after stability and peace landed to our Island since 2009 May.
As leader of UNP’s Ranil has to realized that key factor of Trade and Investment is nothing else Peace and Stability any country. That will apply China too. China before 1949 was predominantly semi-colonial and semi-feudal country. When European powers came to China in mid 19th century, that nation was already in a state of decline her economy had been stagnation for long period of time.
PRC and CPC had inherited economy was backward ,but also badly ravaged by a long period WARS AND INTERNAL CONFLICTES AND TURMOIL. When PRC was proclaimed by Great leader of Chinese People Mao Zedong 1949 sovereignty of People of China had similar experiences like OURS.
China has change her system of developing economy after 1978 NEW ECONOMY POLICIES adopted by Deng that an open and reform policies. She has come second world Largest Economy to USA, which within short period of 30 years. She holding largest foreign reserves and huge trade with Global economy.
That is why nationally Sri lank having very important trade and Investment China is crucial. UNP as national party has not forget this reality by misreading world economy by mishaps. This proposed Investment and Trade by PRC that will benefitted by not ONLY Sinhalese but Tamils, Muslims and other who are inhabited our soil.
We are in sustainable path of Capitalist development in Sri Lankan as different from old model and path pre-colonial capitalism of neo-Liberal depend capitalism.
Sri Lankan and China different social system; that does matter as long as PRC respected and accept our Nation Sovereignty, Independent , Territorial Integrity and Valued Democratic norms practice by People of Sri Lankan. That give us to coexist between two nations.
Certain UNP’s political and economic spokesmen has baseless allegations against China that is undermine two nation relationship as well as Investment and Trade is concern.
In fact national political party UNP has accountability and responsibility to committed to look nation interest FIRST, than party interest should be secondary factor if supposed come to power.
Is good move by Ranil’s of UNP leader has taken by supporting President of China present visit guest welcome by statement..
/
Native Vedda / September 16, 2014
N.Wimaladasa
“that does matter as long as PRC respected and accept our Nation Sovereignty, Independent , Territorial Integrity and Valued Democratic norms practice by People of Sri Lankan.”
Nation Sovereignty
Another myth perpetuated by the Sinhala/Buddhists establishment, and invites foreigners to grope and mistreat people of this island. This island never had sovereignty and never will given that this is a globalising world.
Territorial Integrity
Does not mean having a standing army which chose not to fight when IPKF not only invaded this land but demarcated certain area and controlled it for more than three years. VP continued to reign parts of the island as a de facto state.
Valued Democratic norms
Come on you can do better than this.
FYI, read the following excerpts:
Characteristics of Democracy
Democracy is more than just a set of specific government institutions; it rests upon a well-understood group of values, attitudes, and practices – all of which may take different forms and expressions among cultures and societies around the world. Democracies rest upon fundamental principles, not uniform practices.
Core Democratic Characteristics
• Democracy is government in which power and civic responsibility are exercised by all adult citizens, directly, or through their freely elected representatives.
• Democracy rests upon the principles of majority rule and individual rights. Democracies guard against all-powerful central governments and decentralize government to regional and local levels, understanding that all levels of government must be as accessible and responsive to the people as possible.
• Democracies understand that one of their prime functions is to protect such basic human rights as freedom of speech and religion; the right to equal protection under law; and the opportunity to organize and participate fully in the political, economic, and cultural life of society.
• Democracies conduct regular free and fair elections open to citizens of voting age.
• Citizens in a democracy have not only rights, but also the responsibility to participate in the political system that, in turn, protects their rights and freedoms.
• Democratic societies are committed to the values of tolerance, cooperation, and compromise. In the words of Mahatma Gandhi, “Intolerance is itself a form of violence and an obstacle to the growth of a true democratic spirit.”
……
……
Majority Rule and Minority Rights
All democracies are systems in which citizens freely make political decisions by majority rule. In the words of American essayist E.B. White: “Democracy is the recurrent suspicion that more than half the people are right more than half the time.”
But majority rule, by itself, is not automatically democratic. No one, for example, would call a system fair or just that permitted 51 percent of the population to oppress the remaining 49 percent in the name of the majority. In a democratic society, majority rule must be coupled with guarantees of individual human rights that, in turn, serve to protect the rights of minorities and dissenters – whether ethnic, religious, or simply the losers in political debate. The rights of minorities do not depend upon the good will of the majority and cannot be eliminated by majority vote. The rights of minorities are protected because democratic laws and institutions protect the rights of all citizens.
Minorities need to trust the government to protect their rights and safety. Once this is accomplished, such groups can participate in, and contribute to their country’s democratic institutions. The principle of majority rule and minority rights characterizes all modern democracies, no matter how varied in history, culture, population, and economy.
Pluralism and Democratic Society
In a democracy, government is only one thread in the social fabric of many and varied public and private institutions, legal forums, political parties, organizations, and associations. This diversity is called pluralism, and it assumes that the many organized groups and institutions in a democratic society do not depend upon government for their existence, legitimacy, or authority. Most democratic societies have thousands of private organizations, some local, some national. Many of them serve a mediating role between individuals and society’s complex social and governmental institutions, filling roles not given to the government and offering individuals opportunities to become part of their society without being in government.
In an authoritarian society, virtually all such organizations would be controlled, licensed, watched, or otherwise accountable to the government. In a democracy, the powers of the government are, by law, clearly defined and sharply limited. As a result, private organizations are largely free of government control. In this busy private realm of democratic society, citizens can explore the possibilities of peaceful self-fulfillment and the responsibilities of belonging to a community – free of the potentially heavy hand of the state or the demand that they adhere to views held by those with influence or power, or by the majority.
http://iipdigital.usembassy.gov/st/english/publication/2008/06/20080623194736eaifas0.658703.html#ixzz3DSvxC6eV
N.Wimaladasa
Please compare and contrast the system you call Democracy and normative democratic ideals.
“China has change her system of developing economy after 1978 NEW ECONOMY POLICIES adopted by Deng”
What the Chinese didn’t tell you is that from the mid 1960s onwards Japan covertly helped China to industrialise in textile and other industries and the Sri Lankans were happy to import poplin clothes from China.
Now China threatens Japan.
In the late 70s and 80s Japan was investing all over the world with its surpluses, including financing the US budget deficit.
“In fact national political party UNP has accountability and responsibility to committed to look nation interest FIRST,”
However the foremost responsibility of ruling party is to uphold accountability, transparency, respect for human rights and dignity, …. rule of law, of the present government, not subdued by the leaders in this case the Clan.
/
Upul / September 16, 2014
The China haters have gone to Japan! Or are still stuck in Dubai.
/
aratai / September 16, 2014
.
It’s like a businessman visiting to see his newly purchased property.
:-)
/
Backlash / September 16, 2014
Thanks to the wisdom and foresight of the great Deng XiaoPing, China
which was considered a repressive and very poor communist country, changed its policy and changed its economic course taking path of Free Enterprise. Within two decades this poor Marxist country, virtually held on a leash by the authoritarian and, yet respected Mao Tse-tung, became a reasonably wealthy country. In the past decade it has become the 2nd largest economy in the world greatly enhancing the quality of the life of their people.
It is fair to state there are no China haters in the world today.
Backlash
/
srilal / September 16, 2014
Backlash ,
Pardon my ignorance , who support all the dictatorial junta regime in the world today ? ( North korea , Burma , all the African despots etc )
/
Backlash / September 16, 2014
Dear Srilal
Realpolitik/s does not move in the same trajectory as ethics
and morality – although, ideally, it should. Churchill and Roosevelt took their arch enemy Stalin as a partner and realised the object of saving the world from the Nazis. We are very
close to the US/EU to consider taking Assad as a partner against
ISIS. Such are the ways in which the world moves. In Machiavellian terms when it comes to State-to-State relations “there is no such thing as permanent friends -only permanent interests”
Backlash
/
Native Vedda / September 16, 2014
Backlash
“Churchill and Roosevelt took their arch enemy Stalin as a partner and realised the object of saving the world from the Nazis.”
Who was there to save the world from these two war monger.
Was it about saving the world or protecting there ready cheap supply of raw materials and captive markets in colonies?
/
Dr Romesh Senewiratne-Alagaratnam / September 16, 2014
Do they teach Chinese as a foreign language in any Sri Lankan schools? It is a good language to learn for future opportunities.
/
Robert.R / September 16, 2014
Just out of curiosity, are you learning Mandarin?
/
Dr Romesh Senewiratne-Alagaratnam / September 17, 2014
Trying to. I’ve learned to say “hello” and “thank you”. I’ve printed information about Chinese script off Wikipedia and listen to the Chinese news, at times, on TV (SBS has multilingual news broadcasts). But I’m mainly focused on learning more Tamil and Sinhalese.
Learning new languages is slow and difficult at my age, which is why I support the introduction of multiple languages early in education and have tried to expose my young daughter to languages from around the world. This I have done by playing the Putomayo record company’s World Music CDs from the time she was born. These include catchy songs in languages from around the world.
/
srilal / September 16, 2014
Dr Romesh ,
“Do they teach Chinese as a foreign language in any Sri Lankan schools? It is a good language to learn for future opportunities. “
you always come up with some bizarre comments , don’t you ? why would any Srilankan school teach Chinese ? do you know majority of Srilankan School children can’t speak, read or write English ? learning Chinese may be O.K with OZ kids , but sri lankan students ? as i said before , why don’t you try to stick some thing which you are comfortable and aware of ,than commenting on every thing & any thing !!
/
Madavan / September 16, 2014
Srilal, don’t be harsh on him, he is just inquiring. May be, he is out of touch with SL for so long. Yearning to have a say in the education policy.
They do teach Korean and people need to pass it to go and work in S. Korea. May be Mandarin Chinese may be introduced into school curricukum soon enough. I know of some who took the trouble to learn Chinese and are doing very well as translators to big business local establishments have many dealings with China.
/
Native Vedda / September 16, 2014
Madavan
Please read this news item:
Patronage for Hindi Growing in Jaffna
By P K Balachandran
Last Updated: 16th September 2014 06:04 AM
COLOMBO: A passion for Hindi film music and the Hindi language is commonplace in Sri Lanka. But Jaffna, the stronghold of Tamil nationalism, has been an exception to this rule. The Tamil-speaking North is one place in the island nation, where Hindi films are not shown, Hindi soaps are not watched, and Hindi songs are not aired.
But these may well be things of the past, soon. Thanks to the sustained efforts of the Indian Consulate, interest in Hindi is sprouting among Jaffna Tamils.
Over 20 Tamils have so far completed the beginners’ course conducted by the Consulate with a spouse of a staffer functioning as a teacher. On September 14, the Consulate celebrated “Hindi Diwas” with students reciting Hindi poems and singing Hindi songs before an appreciative audience of 80 people.
“It is my love for Hindi songs which drew me to this class. If I know the meaning of the lyrics, I can enjoy the songs even more,” student T Srikanthan told Express.
“There are now people who think it will be useful to know Hindi if they go to north India for studies or pilgrimage,” said Acting Consul General S D Moorthy, who hails from Manaparai. The Hindi Diwas has evoked curiosity among the public and more may join the course, Moorthy said.
http://www.newindianexpress.com/
/
srilal / September 17, 2014
Madavan ,
I’m not talking about grown ups who wish to go to S.korea ,of course by all means they should pursue their dreams , here we are talking about SCHOOLS , when majority of School children suffer from lack of basic English skills , why would they try to concentrate on far more difficult Chinese language ?
if you care to read Dr Romesh’s comments , he is after his Dad , he wants get the revenge from him which ever way is possible ,regrettably Dr Romesh has been adopting an easy and convenient way to achieve his ultimate goal , that is by extending support for a tyrant .
/
Dr Romesh Senewiratne-Alagaratnam / September 17, 2014
How is campaigning for multilingualism “extending support for a tyrant”?
/
whywhy / September 17, 2014
My experience with languages is that,one must first
be quite fluent in his own language and any other
language,should be ones own choice of interest.
Children shouldn’t be burdened with another language
until at least their O/L is complete.I’m fluent in
four languages and can manage three other languages
that includes Hindi.So,I know the beauty of being
able to understand different cultures and interact
with them with a deep understanding and respect that
help people overcome many difficulties.More languages
means more people in you.You are not one person.
Multilingualism is very good at free will.
/
Harry Hatton / September 16, 2014
Was China a part of Ranil’s international safety net in the LTTE days?
/
MirakRajBanda / September 16, 2014
The best cooperation with China is to keep the Chinese at the bay and imports only the ”children’s toys” that can be thrown in couple of days.
Granting all the mega projects to Chinese are very risky business. Honestly, they are not capable of undertaking any of such projects anywhere in the world. Not only in Hambantota but also in Vietnam, Cambodia and Togo they ventured to build Harbours, Airports, Dockyards, Motorways, Power plants, Mining facilities and Chemical plants are mega failure of Chinese heavy industry which of course, for the sake more stake hold in internal affairs of a respective country. Chinese were kicked out from Vietnam, Philippines, Cambodia and many parts of Africa knowing the danger the Chinese and the Chinese companies pose the threat to the stability, economy and sovereignty to a country and in the region where they footholds. South China Sea Regional conflict and the Chinese threat are very good examples and an eye opener for Sri Lanka.
There is no ethical or fair trade deals you can expect with Chinese and never hesitate to bribe the Nation’s leaders to win major projects. Sri Lanka is no exception and even given contracts (Mattala Airport) to World Bank black listed companies (see World Bank Report 2013) and purchased under grade Locomotives for lump sums of Commissions. Those locomotives are at the verge of collapse in our Highlands.
If, we, Sri Lankans, still sleep and well come to your future colony Xi!!!!
/
srilal / September 16, 2014
well said , mate !
/
Dr.Rajasingham Narendran / September 16, 2014
Ranil Wickremasinghe has very effectively demolished the myth/bogey being propagated that China will assist, lend and co-operate only if the MR government is in power. China has been involved in trade with SL from times immemorial and this will continue into the next millenium.
However, the MR government has to be credited for burdening our nation with a heavy debt to China, sometimes at high interest rates. How will we pay it back with the rate at which our real economic growth and factors that contribute to it are in steep decline. How will we pay the debt incurred on the Mattala airport and Hamdantota harbours which are proving to be white elephants. The Chinese President should be taken on a tour to see how foolish his government has been to lend for these projects. Where was China’s business acumen? Who in China should be blamed for this collosal blunder in aiding and abetting projects conceived to inflate the ego of one man in Sri Lanka?
Dr.Rajasingham Narendran
/
Maghribi / September 16, 2014
Chinese know very well that Lanka cannot pay back the loans and they have tied them down in debt for ever. Chinese strategy is ownership and sovereignty over the white and green elephants.
/
Dr Romesh Senewiratne-Alagaratnam / September 16, 2014
It remains to be seen as to whether the Hambantota Harbour is a success. If the naysayers are quiet it just might be.
/
srilal / September 16, 2014
Dr Romesh ,
“It remains to be seen as to whether the Hambantota Harbour is a success. If the naysayers are quiet it just might be. “
MR lackeys and other Grass eating sycophants tend to be overly optimistic of all these white elephant mega projects , reason being they have their own personnel agendas , in your case , you try to get the revenge from your Dad by supporting the despot.
/
whywhy / September 17, 2014
Export oriented businesses,International schools,
Mahaveli,Victoria,private buses for transport,
public and private hospitals,TV and IT,New
parliament complex,a new city development in
Kotte and Battaramulla,employments in the
middle east,free trade zones,more universities
more star hotels and the list goes on and on.
All this happened quite rapidly and
successfully as never seen in any time before
1977 and according to a fine tuned rhythm.
In 1977 there was a great song writer cum
composer and a set of superb vocalists like
Lalith Gamini and Premadasa and the songs
came out ever lovable!They were committed
and able artists with a taste.Is it the same
today?Are these ports a necessity?Ideally
Galle or Matara deserves an airport if any
was needed in another part of the country.
We already had a seaport in Galle without
that much business but for future use,easy
to expand.All what the UPFA left with is,
continue to living the designs of the UNP
claiming credit for expansions with rampant
corruption and waste.
/
K.A Sumanasekera / September 16, 2014
Dr Narendran,
Don’t you worry about that..
/
Dr.Rajasingham Narendran / September 16, 2014
Why? Am I not a citizen?
Dr.RN
/
Eusense / September 16, 2014
Narendran,
Can you explain why you asked “Am I not a citizen” for that simple statement “don’t worry about that..”
/
Eusense / September 16, 2014
Narendran,
Chinese are not stupid. They wouldn’t invest or hand out money if they are not gaining anything. You think the Chinese funded and built what you call “white elephants” without their own research and simply because MR wanted it there??
You ask how we will pay the “debt incurred”. I guess if all fails we can hand over the N&E to the Chinese as debt payment! (I am just kidding!) How can we give away our Tamil citizens because we need them for human rights violations, genocide and to discriminate, torment, torture both mentally and physically, persecute, rape, murder etc. etc. (just kidding again!)
Surprisingly Colombo Telegraph is not publishing what the Chinese President said about UNHRC actions or anything else during his visit. Xi said “”China… resolutely opposes any move by any country to interfere in Sri Lanka’s internal affairs under any excuse,”. Yohoo news in the US reports “Beijing has consistently supported Colombo in its efforts to resist a UN investigation into alleged war crimes against Tamil Tiger rebels, while India has pushed Sri Lanka to ensure accountability.”
/
Native Vedda / September 16, 2014
Nuisance
“Surprisingly Colombo Telegraph is not publishing what the Chinese President said about UNHRC actions”
CT must have missed the news however the entire world knows why he is not saying anything about Tibet.
By the way why hasn’t Sri Lanka invited Dalai Lama to this island or opened a diplomatic mission in Taiwan? Scared of Chinese?
/
Eusense / September 16, 2014
Vedda,
You all ways try to show your ignorance.
Yes, CT miss lot of real news! That I agree with you.
Xi is in SL and he is talking about SL. Why should he talk about Tibet while in SL? You and I both know his stand on Tibet and that is his prerogative.
Are you a retard? SL has close relations with China and why on earth should SL hurt that by inviting Lama? If Ranil becomes the President and if he is against the Chinese relationship he should invite Lama and pander to the West. This is how politics work.
Hope you learned something today!
/
Native Vedda / September 16, 2014
Nuisance
“That I agree with you”
Don’t agree with me for I may be wrong.
” SL has close relations with China and why on earth should SL hurt that by inviting Lama? “
How could Dalai Lama’s visit hurt Chinese might? Who are these Chinese to dictate who can visit us or who can’t?
“If Ranil becomes the President and if he is against the Chinese relationship he should invite Lama and pander to the West”
Inviting Dalai Lama to this island has nothing to do with pandering to West or Chinese scare mongering. It is a question of moral courage which I shouldn’t be expecting from Sinhala/Buddhists.
Unlike the Chinese war mongers Dalai Lama is a man of peace. He never advocated violence.
/
Bensen Burner / September 16, 2014
‘Under President Xi Jinping, China has undertaken an effective anti-graft drive, aimed at increasing transparency and accountability in Government across the system’ Very true. Xi is being held in high esteem by the people of China for the far reaching reforms that he has brought about in revealing corruption and punishing those responsible. The continuation of this has been an uphill task but this has not deterred him from this . The Rajapaksas should learn from him although it would be very difficult and too late for old habits die hard much to the detriment of the Sri Lankan people.Bensen
/
justice / September 16, 2014
China is the “economic hitman” slowly enslaving sri lanka with massive “loans” with its own workforce and under its own terms, which our children and grandchildren are indebted with, and china knows it.
Noroicholai is an ongoing ‘white elephant’.
The process commenced insidiously long ago when China offered BMICH as a gift in memory of SWRD which so enraptured Sirimavo B that she later purchased MIG 17s at inflated cost – totally unsuited to quell insurrections.
The cost of BMICH has been recouped many times over by China.
Sri Lanka will finally be a satellite of China in international fora – both are ruled by the military, under juntas.
/
Rationalist / September 18, 2014
Pardon me for being ‘Out of Context’ but I could not resist relating this Joke that was popular during Silimavo’s time. Wonder whether MR asked Plesident Xi the same question?
Silimavo was entertaining Chou en Lai to dinner, and she asked him, how often he had Elections in China.
The Plesident’s leply was, “Evely night Madame, Evely Night!”
/
kali / September 17, 2014
Mr.Wickremasinghe:
I am not sure of what to make of the following.
***Initiated by the UNP Government, China became one of Sri Lanka’s foremost partners in its fight against terror. Beijing’s support continued until the war finally ended in May 2009.
If indeed you thought that the Freedom Struggle waged by Prabakaran was terrorism why did you offer him a 10 year free hand ( in my view was commendable ) which has cost you dearly. The 20 million born RACISTS have not forgiven you for that and never will and sadly in their eyes you will always be an outcaste and in the wilderness.
As for your assumption about China being a foremost partner in its fight against TERROR let me ask you have you forgotten “Tiananmean Squrae “. Frankly China is a Military State mixing Capitalism with Communism.
*** Under President Xi Jinping, China has undertaken an effective anti-graft drive, aimed at increasing transparency and accountability in Government across the system. Under the system, local government officials are no longer permitted to use luxury hotels and thousands of officials have been punished for disciplinary violations, including the hosting of lavish banquets, spending public funds on travel, the improper use of government vehicles and constructing luxurious government buildings.
What you are alluding to is only the tip of the iceberg and just read the following from Author and social commentator Lijia Zhang.
***President Xi has called for a curb on official extravagance: No red carpet treatment, no luxury banquets and no fancy office buildings. But these are the symptoms not the root of the problem.
“To stamp out corruption, he will have to not only observe the rule of law but also introduce genuine political reforms that would allow checks and balances, transparency, and independent scrutiny. Such remedies, although proven elsewhere, may be too strong for him to take.
I don’t doubt that the authorities will net more tigers. But there will be hundreds and thousands more at large and countless flies, thriving in China’s politically and culturally rich breeding ground for corruption”.
***In order to achieve corruption free society China will have to introduce far reaching Political reforms and that will not happen and corruption will thrive.
The only difference between China and Sinhala Lanka is that there is no Nepotism in China which is endemic in Sinhala Lank under MR but in China there is sufficient stock of crooks to fish in troubled waters.
/
Renyee / September 17, 2014
Master-mind perfect,unblemished recorder in corruption.
/