28 March, 2024

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On The Bilateral Relations Between Sri Lanka & Maldives

By Ranil Wickremesinghe

Even though diplomatic relations between our two countries started on 26 July 1965, the very first day the Maldives gained independence, the relationship between the people of Sri Lanka and the Maldives dates back many centuries. According to the Mahavamsa, the great Sri Lankan chronicle, the Maldives was known as Mahiladvipika and is supposed to where part of the group that came with Prince Vijaya settled down.

The people of our nations also share common attributes of culture, food and linguistics. Our languages Dhivehi and Sinhalese have a common origin in Elu Prakrit. Sri Lanka is considered to be the second home for many Maldivians – providing shared experiences in educational and medical services. Many Sri Lankans work in the Maldives while all of us relish the famous Maldivian Fish product known to us as Umbalakada.

Speech made by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe at the Peoples Majlis of the Republic of Maldives on September 3, 2019:

Honourable Speaker of the People’s Majlis,

My Good Friend Mohamad Nasheed,

Honourable Members of the People’s Majlis,

Distinguished Guests,

It is indeed a great honour to address the People’s Majlis of the Maldive Islands at a time when the people of the Maldives enjoy the privileges of Parliamentary Democracy and when the Parliament is headed by the former President of the Maldives, a Democracy Campaigner, and long-time friend of Sri Lanka. I must first thank the Honourable Speaker and the Members of the Majlis for inviting me to address the People’s Majlis.

Even though diplomatic relations between our two countries started on 26 July 1965, the very first day the Maldives gained independence, the relationship between the people of Sri Lanka and the Maldives dates back many centuries. According to the Mahavamsa, the great Sri Lankan chronicle, the Maldives was known as Mahiladvipika and is supposed to where part of the group that came with Prince Vijaya settled down. 

The people of our nations also share common attributes of culture, food and linguistics. Our languages Dhivehi and Sinhalese have a common origin in Elu Prakrit. Sri Lanka is considered to be the second home for many Maldivians – providing shared experiences in educational and medical services. Many Sri Lankans work in the Maldives while all of us relish the famous Maldivian Fish product known to us as Umbalakada. 

But, Honorable Speaker,

Our commonalities are not limited to culture, food and trade. Both our people have a strong commitment to democracy. At the outset, I would like to congratulate President Solih and Speaker Nasheed who are the front-runners of the democratic movement in the Maldives for having strengthened people’s power and rights in the Maldives. I would therefore like to make use of this opportunity to explain to you the major strides taken to strengthen democracy and ensure freedom of society in Sri Lanka – during the last few years of our government.

In both our countries, executive power is vested in the President. But in Sri Lanka, it is the Cabinet of Ministers, which includes the President, that is in charge of the direction and control of the Government. The Cabinet of Ministers is also collectively responsible to the Parliament. The President is tasked with appointing as the Prime Minister the person who is likely to command the most support in Parliament. Furthermore, this position was upheld by the Court of Appeal in 2018 when it issued an interim order restraining Mahinda Rajapaksa, the former President from functioning as Prime Minister, despite being appointed by the President, since 122 of the 225 Members of Parliament were opposed to him. 

Earlier, the President also has the discretionary powers to appoint Ministers from among the Members of Parliament – contrary to the Westminster tradition of Parliament. The 19th Amendment to our Constitution, corrected this position by requiring the President to appoint Ministers on the advice of the Prime Minister. This reinforced the collective responsibility of the Cabinet of Ministers to Parliament. 

Today, the major features of the Westminster Parliamentary Government exist side by side with an Executive Presidency – which we are committed to abolish due to its profound powers that have often been exploited and abused by its incumbents – with impunity.

The 19th Amendment further strengthened Parliament by restricting the President’s powers to dissolve Parliament. The President cannot dissolve Parliament for four and a half years unless Parliament requests a dissolution by a two-thirds majority. In October 2018, the President purported to dissolve Parliament without such a resolution but the Supreme Court held that this dissolution to be unconstitutional.

Another important provision enacted under the 19th Amendment reduced the term of the President and Parliament to five years from the earlier term of six years.

Prior to the 19th amendment the President had near-total immunity from suit. This was restricted by the Nineteenth Amendment which provided for official acts of the President to be reviewable by the Supreme Court under its fundamental rights jurisdiction. The dissolution of Parliament in 2018 was declared unconstitutional under this provision.

The 19th amendment was deemed necessary, as I said, because of the flagrant violations of the constitution under the previous regime. For instance, the then Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake was removed in 2013 without a proper resolution of impeachment. Similarly, there was a high level of politicization of the Public Service and the Police. The 19th Amendment addressed these issues by establishing,

1. An Independent Judicial Service Commission

2. An Independent Police Commission

3. An Independent Public Service Commission

4. An Election Commission

5. A Finance Commission and

6. A National Audit Commission 

The members of these Commissions are now appointed by the Constitutional Council, which also approves the appointments of the Chief Justice, the Judges of the Superior Courts, the Inspector General of the Police, and the Attorney General. Today, the Constitutional Council can refer back to the President names recommended by him together with alternative recommendations. The Constitutional Council includes the Speaker, Prime Minister, Leader of the Opposition, a representative of the President and three Civil Society members.

Furthermore, Honourable Speaker,

The legislative exercises of Parliament was enriched and expanded by introducing the Sectoral Oversight Committee system. Accordingly, 16 Sectoral Oversight Committees comprising Members of Parliament were established to assist Parliament in the analysis, appraisal and evaluation of the application, administration, execution and effectiveness of legislation passed by Parliament. 

All Bills, Resolutions, Treaties and Reports are referred to the relevant Oversight Committee for report prior to being considered by the Parliament. 

Moreover, Honorable Speaker,

Very soon we will be tabling a Bill to establish a Parliamentary Budget Office.  

One of the core tenets of democracy is people’s right to information. It has been included as a fundamental right in the 19th Amendment. The Right to Information Act passed by our Parliament is recognized as one of the strongest such laws in the world.

Laws alone do not strengthen democracy. The laws can be repealed or ignored. Strengthening of the key institutions, and the implementing mechanism is also necessary. We achieved the independence of the institutions through the above mentioned Constitutional Council.  The appointees were no longer dependent whims of the executive. They had the space to act independently.  But the challenge is not over.  The abuse of the democratic space for example, through hate speech and fake news are some of the new dangers. The social media is like a god of ancient days:  Both the creator and the destroyer: The ability to spread the message of freedom as well as to rouse passions and emotions that lead to its destruction.  The dilemma of the cyber space and democracy – the frightening ability to create a thousand Hiltlers setting fire to a thousand Reichstags.  

Finding a balance between democratization of news and the legal obligations of the user to prevent harm is the complex question that which we, you and many countries, have to grapple with. The final solution will require an educated public aware of their freedoms and threats that are posed.

Honourable Speaker,

Sri Lanka has been subjected to over twenty-five years of terrorism. Nevertheless, the Easter Sunday bombings by sympathizers of the ISIS was a radically different terrorist attack altogether. We have learnt a lot from this tragic experience; and today, Sri Lanka stands ready to work with all stakeholders to establish an effective mechanism for regional cooperation to counter ISIS terrorism. 

I must also express my indebtedness, at this juncture, to your delegation who visited Sri Lanka after the bomb explosion. Honourable Speaker, they gave us much needed support at that critical juncture. 

Historically, Sri Lanka and the Maldives have maintained convivial and supportive bilateral relationships. In recent times, Sri Lanka has been assisting Maldives in the areas of education, capacity building of the Maldivian military and police. Of course, the Maldives – Sri Lanka Joint Commission which was established in 1984 has also been working on mutual cooperation in the areas of tourism, fisheries, education, health, skills development, sports, employment and cultural cooperation. 

Today, the diversification in trade is a strong component of the bilateral relations between Sri Lanka and Maldives. The Maldives is the third largest export destination for Sri Lanka among the SAARC countries, after India and Pakistan. The value of total trade between the two countries, which stood at US$ 271.1 million in 2017, has increased to the level of US$ 304.3 million in 2018.

As noted earlier, hundreds of Sri Lankan professionals and skilled workers are cordially received in the Maldives. Of late, there has been an increase in the number of employment opportunities for Sri Lankan in the Maldives. I have no doubt that Sri Lanka can supply more professional and skilled workers, particularly in the fields of construction, hospitality and education. 

In order to fortify the mutual relationship between our countries further, several agreements of cooperation – in the areas of visa facilitation, water supply, youth development, vocational training, higher education and social empowerment were signed between our two countries during my visit.

In addition, parents or guardians of students studying in Sri Lanka will now be able get guardian visas till the student reaches the age of 18 years with no lower age limit. As a special arrangement, visas for grandparents of the students will also be facilitated so that they could stay and spend time with their grandchildren in Sri Lanka. 

Maldivians can now undergo organ transplant in Sri Lanka – including Kidney and Liver transplants – in all private hospitals in Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka will also assist the Maldives to set up a drug rehabilitation center in Addu Atoll, and provide all necessary assistance in setting up this facility. 

As mentioned to President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih during his state visit to Sri Lanka, we will also assist in setting up two schools in the Maldives. The relevant authorities of both the countries will coordinate this initiative in moving forward. We also signed an agreement on Higher Education and Vocational Training yesterday.  When I was the Minister of Education, I initiated a scheme to permit Sri Lankan teachers to teach in your schools. Today, as the Prime Minister, I seek to go further – to bolster your vocational education sector by extending our assistance to train your trainers in numerous occupational skills. We are also looking at offering higher education opportunities in Sri Lanka for Maldivian students. 

Honourable Speaker, 

Sri Lanka and Maldives are two neutral nations situated at the cross roads of the Indian Ocean – faced with rising regional tensions, terrorism, piracy and drug trafficking. Therefore, we must strengthen our bilateral dialogue in this sphere and seek ways to cooperate in containing and overcoming these threats.

Today, climate change is an impeding threat to all of us. We are cognizant of the particular vulnerability of the Maldives to rising sea levels and the very real danger of your islands coming under water. Let me reassure you that we stand ready to support you fully in your fight against rising sea levels and global warming. 

Honourable Speaker,

I would like to thank you once again for giving this opportunity to address this respected house, the Majlis, and I would like to thank the President of the Maldives, His Excellency, Ibrahim Solih for inviting me and my wife to visit your beautiful country. 

I would also like to thank the Group of Parliamentarians led by the Honourable Speaker Nasheed who visited Sri Lanka just after the Easter Sunday bombings as a confidence-building measure. 

On behalf of the Government and People of Sri Lanka, the closest friends of the people of the Maldives, I wish you all success in your journey towards peace, prosperity, freedom and democracy. I would also like to reiterate our commitment and cooperation towards achieving our common goals.

Thank you. 

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Latest comments

  • 0
    1

    Ranil here explains that Maithripala sirisena did something wrong by appointing a Party Leader who just could win only 42 seats including his seat. That is also, they can not win electorates so they get elected from district and 15th amendment helps to get the balance of 122.. So much for the popularity of parliamentarians.

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      Maldives shamefully voted in support of US and UK colonization and occupation of the Chagos Islands at the UN General Assembly vote in May this year, where the US-UK lost 116 to 6.
      Sri Lanka another US lackey abstained at that vote. when the rest of the world voted to sustain the ICJ ruling against the UK and US for illegal occupation of Chagos Islands whose citizens were illegally evicted from their island home in the 60s to set up a US military base, Diego Garcia, a CIA black site, which is an on going Human Rights violation in the Indian Ocean by US and UK.
      Ranil went to Maldives to get his instructions from his US handlers on how to push the MCC colonization of Sri Lanka fake aid project. Sri Lanka does not need a paltry 480 from US which cases massive economic terrorism in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday.

      • 0
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        This comment was removed by a moderator because it didn’t abide by our Comment policy.For more detail see our Comment policy https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/comments-policy-2

      • 0
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        Dear Don Stanley,
        .
        I’m sorry to hear about the Chagos Island vote. Having seen your comment, I read a bit about the subject. Thanks for alerting me.
        .
        By the way, Sri Lankans are not greatly liked or welcomed by Maldivians. There are too many of us for there. I managed to win a degree of respect by refusing to visit homes to do the kid’s homework. This blog will make it obvious that I have accurately predicted the April 2019 election result.
        .
        https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/the-maldivian-parliamentary-elections-2019-where-a-happy-result-can-be-predicted/
        .
        Go back also to the Presidential election, where also I was quite sure how it would go. Ranil is the author here. Does he want my prediction for Sri Lanka?

  • 1
    1

    What he says, Sri lanka has a screwed up parliament in which the president (USA, FRANCE like system), Westminster (British and ) the Venezuela (Speaker becomes the sabotaging president) are all working for the International community and NATO and MCC demands.

  • 3
    0

    Dear Mr Ranil Bond (a.k.a. Ranilpaksha) :
    My question has nothing to do with bilateral relations between SL and Maldives. When will you step down and make way for saner counsel to prevail in Sri Lanka? Please respond ASAP.

  • 0
    0

    This comment was removed by a moderator because it didn’t abide by our Comment policy.For more detail see our Comment policy https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/comments-policy-2

  • 1
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    Hoorah! We have a fine world leader in the making – Ranil!!

    • 0
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      Ranil seems to be on the plan of attaching SinhaLE Mahiladvipika with the SinhaLE Ceylon. Don Stephen could not pass his MMDA in 1951 in SinhaLE Mahiladvipika because British Colonist refused to leave the Islands in those days for Don to do that. Now Ranil will have that done following the path of Don.

  • 2
    2

    Whatever the media and those who do not hold reconciliation among the different ethnic and religious groups in our country important may say, publish and broadcast about Mr Wickramasingha he is the only leader who can stand up to any occasion and talk at depth and sensibly on various issues relating to governance and statesmanship. He is the only leader at the moment in our country with a vision, depth of wisdom and thorough understanding of the nuances and the spirit of our Constitution. He respects other politicians and never speaks insultingly of their cultural values or beliefs.

    I have all the respect for him for the contributions he made during his tenure as the Minister of Education. He listened to and respected the professionals and academics in the Ministry of Education, specifically in the Curriculum Development Centre. He identified areas that needed improvement, rethinking and development but gave space and resources to the experts in the various fields to come up with solutions and projects. He met them regularly and monitored progress.
    He had and still has a vision for the development of the country. Like a true leader he delegates when he sees ability and leadership. He will step down at the appropriate moment ensuring the continuity of the true spirit of the party. He will not compromise that. He is seasoned enough to stand up to all the criticism and still carry on his duties and responsibility to strengthen the spirit of democracy in our country and ensure respect and freedom to all sectors of our. society.

  • 2
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    The boaster or swagger Ranil went to Oxford last year and declared that there is no democracy in West. Now he is say Lankawe and Malaitivu are champions on democracy. What a crazy, farcical lie. Man, sadly this guy picked “Lankawe and Malaitivu”, the two rotten countries in the world!
    Then he is saying when Wijeya came here, half of the half bald heads went Malaitivu and became Muslims. That is why culture and langue of the countries are similar. Come on man, when Malaitivu people ate Kavvum and wear Reda Hatta. Further he says the name came from Sinhala. This cannot be rated even as a farcical comedy. Malaitivu spoke only Tamil. The name Malaitivu means garland like island or chain shaped island. Even a worst idiot in the world knows that Malai is garland in Tamil. The connection of culture for Sinhalese and Maldivians were exchanged through Tamils. That is why Tamils and Maldivians don’t wear Reda Hatta or eat Kavvum.
    The 19A is the world funniest piece of legislation. The only purpose of 19A was protecting Ranil until 2020, without New King firing him. That is how Sumanthiran and Kanag Isvaran were able to reverse the coup in October, 2018, though Ranil, a partner in the coup, had long fights with Sumanthiran during those days for opposing Sumanthiran’s court cases. The CC is just the same political maneuverings of the parliament. Still they all will be reversed as soon as Old Royals return to power. That is the 70 years of UNP-SLFP political history of Lankawe.
    Lankawe Tamils has been ruled under emergency from 1960. Their 6A and PTA are described by International Jurist Commission as two of the world most draconian acts. 42 prominent figures, including, Ministers, Prime ministers, President, Opposition Leader, All chiefs of Defense are waiting to be prosecuted for War Crimes. Lankawe is number one in many notorious things at world level. I hear, from Jan, 2020, White van is to replace the Wild Lion in Lankawe flag.

  • 1
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    please bring some maldive fish to sajit when you get back.He is waiting for you without sleeping.When you came back and called him to come and see you urgently at 9.30 pm,he was excited and came rushing from embilipitiya,and what did you do,gave him the packet of the maldive fish.

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