15 December, 2024

Blog

RW, IMF & The Economy

By Ameer Ali

Dr. Ameer Ali

President Ranil Wickremesinghe in addressing the International Customs Day Celebrations had once again thrown the gauntlet at all political parties and challenged them to put forward a better and alternative agenda to the current IMF designed economic revival program. In that address, he obviously omitted to utter even one word about the extent of economic hardship endured by a vast majority of people as a result of implementing IMF recommendations. Because, like IMF, RW also believes that the hardship is short term pain worth enduring to achieve long term gain. But who gains at the cost of whose pain is left unsaid. This address, like several of his in recent months, was obviously driven by RW’s political desire to discredit the opposition before declaring the date for presidential poll to which he would be a contestant.

All opposition parties without exception have accepted the fact that to reject the IMF totally would be financially suicidal, because it would jeopardize firstly, the desperately needed flow of foreign capital for investment, and secondly the scheduled foreign debt restructuring negotiations with state and private creditors. However, with an eye on the vote bank all major parties and their coalition partners are promising to renegotiate with IMF a few of the items in the agenda without naming them, so that their implementation becomes less onerous to Sri Lanka’s consumer public. All political parties including the left-oriented National Peoples Power (NPP) would also agree with RW that economic recovery would have to be achieved through a competitive market, production of an exportable surplus, and increasing the country’s foreign reserves. But how to achieve these objectives with or without the prevailing socio-political paradigm is the challenge facing all of them and it is on that issue NPP is standing apart from the rest of the pack and offering a clear choice to voters.

NPP is the only party that advocates a paradigm shift through social revolution and believes that unless the prevailing corruption ridden and ethno-religiously circumscribed political and economic infrastructure that has kept the nation disunited, sapped the vitality of its economy for decades before bankrupting it finally to leave it at the mercy of IMF and foreign powers is removed there is no long-term solution to Sri Lanka’s poly-crisis. While every party leader including RW believes in preserving the old paradigm with changes in its operational model only Anura Kumara Dissanayake (AKD) of NPP is calling for its total rejection and preference for an alternative paradigm, which would be politically democratic but secular, economically equitable and corruption free, market friendly without artificial rigidities and culturally inclusive. In fact, AKD is providing a theoretical frame work and practical direction to realize the aspirations of a new generation of voters who rose in revolt with an aragalaya demanding “system change” and “No 225”. RW, who stood to benefit from that revolt, betrayed that generation by ending the aragalaya with brute force, and now taking all precautions to protect himself and the old order he represents through repressive legislations like PTA and OSB. Ironically, these contentious legislations are passed by a House of Representatives in which a significant portion of its members, according to RW himself, ‘could not understand the difference between a sovereign or commercial bond and James Bond’. But the fact of the matter is these semi-literate members are the very product of the prevailing political culture and its ethnonational framework. This is why when RW and his rivals talk about their measures to revive the economy and generate growth without eliminating the basic paradigm one has to accept their words with not a pinch but bags of salt.

NPP like all the other parties is also accommodative of IMF but with a big difference. That difference arises partly from the contrasting view between NPP and others regarding IMF’s primary objective in assisting bankrupt economies like Sri Lanka, and partly from IMF’s demand for “reforms in governance”. Regarding IMF’s primary objective, its funding assistance is system biased and not driven by any altruistic motive. The main objective of creating IMF in the first place was to protect the capitalist system and promote the interests of the capitalist class. Therefore, the resulting economic growth from IMF assistance and advice is a byproduct of saving the capitalist system with its class structure. Brevity prevents the need to explain at length the systemic bias of IMF policies. However, in an economy like Sri Lanka where the wealth gap between the upper and lower classes is huge IMF’s pressure on the government to increase public revenue through broadening the tax structure via higher and more inclusive indirect taxes tantamount to a punishment for the middle and low-income groups who were not a party to the bankruptcy in the first place. Therefore, unlike the other parties that are ready to accept IMF’s ideological premises NPP’s negotiation would entail its preference to restructure the tax scheme to make it more equitable while cleaning tax administration of its systemic and systematic corruption. IMF has to accommodate NPP’s approach, because it is one aspect of fulfilling that organization’s demand for reforms in governance.

For instance, RW and other party leaders talk of ending corruption merely through passing legislations in the parliament; but in terms of executing those legislations there is total inaction and the status quo continues. How could they end corruption when the corrupt are financing their political campaigns? Has RW initiated any legal action on any of the members in his present cabinet against whom there is clear evidence of receiving financial kickbacks for issuing contracts? Why does the former Health Minister still in the cabinet? A recent announcement by another minister and spokesperson to the cabinet to start development projects to boost economic growth via construction of roads and highways smell a rat. Because, such projects had earned the notoriety of financially benefitting government politicians through contracts and kickbacks. NPP is promising to bring the corrupt before the law and cleanse political management from making shady deals in the name of development. IMF should welcome this determination. Thus, IMF’s economic agenda would have better success under NPP rule than under other parties.

NPP also believes that without producing an exportable surplus the country cannot accumulate foreign reserves. But unlike RW and other parties NPP wants that surplus to be produced by a revitalized domestic sector dominated by small and medium scale enterprises rather than by foreign controlled mega enterprises. The Korean Chaebol and Japanese Keiretsu were originally small and medium enterprises which grew into conglomerates today through open competition, innovation and scale economies. Vietnam is also following their footsteps. NPP should be thinking of an industrial model along those lines. Shouldn’t international financiers be interested in investing in such initiatives provided the market is free of artificial rigidities and political interference? This is why NPP deserves a chance to govern and voters should get rid of their fear of the unknown.

RW’s 2048 economic paradise, his half-hearted pronouncements about ethnic reconciliation and his tears for Palestine at NAM are all a calculated deception to attract votes from the three communities at the next presidential election. Enough has been said about the first two and let this piece end with a few remarks about the third.  While pretending to champion the cause of Palestine at Kamapala, RW has dispatched a Sri Lankan Navy vessel to protect ships carrying cargo and weapons to Israel through the Red Sea. How does one reconcile this contradiction? One should not forget that the Israeli consulate in Colombo, which remained closed under the Sirimavo Bandaranaike coalition government, was opened by RW’s uncle JR and when Muslims protested, he asked his Muslim ministers to quit the cabinet if they don’t support his decision. When RW’s foreign minister Ali Sabry participated in Israel’s 75th year celebrations in Colombo last year that minister didn’t have the guts to speak truth in front of power by at least reminding his hosts about the 75th anniversary of Palestinian Nakba. Why then is RW’s sudden love towards Palestine? Obviously, to attract Muslim votes at the forthcoming Presidential election. The poor foreign minister of Palestine Riyad al-Maliki who thanked RW for that speech didn’t know that RW is an old fox in politics and that his speech was all razzamatazz with a different agenda.  

 *Dr. Ameer Ali, Murdoch Business School, Murdoch University, W. Australia

Latest comments

  • 3
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    NPP (AKD) will indeed equalize our tax-structure and tax our commercial conglomerates that have vast amounts of Lankan money in offshore accounts, all of which are run by and sustained by the Lankan capitalistic parties of Pottuwa and UNP and associated parties.

    However, right now, all kinds of money laundering is going on in the global spheres – international beauty contests, charitable donations, art market dealings, donations to foreign presidential candidates…all in an effort to either hide our Lankan money, or create profit on foreign enterprises that are either failing or lacking in investors.

    These have to be exposed if Sri Lanka is to ever recover her monies. But this probably won’t happen – international enterprise is not going to part with this wealth.
    Either way, our motherland is going to lose to the exclusive monied Lankan set.

    • 4
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      Starting from scratch will however, be far more productive with the NPP. They will at least try to recover the exclusive wealth that is still in the country. If the Rajapaksas and/or Ranil remain, Motherland will remain in the same rut, alternating in the same scenarios that we have suffered from independence till now, with the monied-set holding all the monetary strings to generate money from the now severely taxed suffering workers. We pray that there will be a change.

      • 5
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        A true assessment of the guy who died in the car accident ……….. 4:04 ……… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jdy7fow-T28

        There are good truth speakers in Lanka ………. unfortunately obscured by loud in-your-face Ranil-propagandists like Native! :)))

      • 2
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        Ramona,
        You sit in Pittsburgh and tell us our taxes are too high. What about this US tax structure?
        “If a single filer made $32,000 in taxable income annually, the taxpayer filing their 2022 taxes would be placed in the 12% tax bracket. A person would then pay 10% on the first $10,275 they make (as $10,275 is the lowest bracket) and then pay 12% on the remainder of their income.”
        You say:
        “with the monied-set holding all the monetary strings to generate money from the now severely taxed suffering workers” . Why not talk about your own home city, where thousands of homeless people live in tents on the street? That doesn’t happen in Colombo.

        • 3
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          “NPP is the only party that advocates a paradigm shift through social revolution and believes that unless the prevailing corruption ridden and ethno-religiously circumscribed political and economic infrastructure that has kept the nation disunited, sapped the vitality of its economy for decades before bankrupting it “
          Where and when exactly did NPP or JVP “ethno-religiously circumscribed political and economic infrastructure “. All I can see is ranks of monks leading JVP student riots, and sitting at the front of their meetings.

          • 6
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            Dear OC and rational thinkers,
            Very good questions OC, Sri Lankans living abroad should disclose their tax stories.

            Let me give you a good example: A friend of mine who came to the UK a few years ago (for a postgraduate training) came back to Sri Lanka as a doctor complaining about the taxes he had to pay in the UK. He loved the corrupt systems of Sri Lanka because channeling doctors could earn them a lot of money and save it for their future. Although they were not proficient in English to connect with patients in the UK, their ego is above all else. The same was true of mathematician Nalin de Silva. They nevertheless explain something else on their return from UK. SRIlankens woudl believe anything being shared by a DOCTOR or higher professionals. Its logic and rationality is secondary to them.
            .
            . My friend (a surgeon) loved Sri Lanka more than UK, even the MBBS holder shows him as a doctor in his glasses like in our primitive Sri Lanka where doctors and health workers are not considered gods by patients.
            Their opium is to harass patients who have spent tax money on MBBS degree courses.

            tbd

            • 3
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              cont.
              .
              At the beginning of the introductory tax numbers and the steps to go through for any employee are quite difficult. But sooner or later this country should start respecting world norms.

              That is why the imposition of TIN and other measures seem timely to me. They also excuse for not having impletmented the law and order rigorously because our people are poor.
              We will never be able to increase the revenue streams of the state if our people are kept waiting and without being taxed, saying they are poor further should not be an any excuse.
              In Germany and some other countries in Europe, depending on the amount we earn, we pay more taxes. It can be more than 50% for the spouse if she or he earns less compared to his or her partner:

              What the people should do is to stand firm against the wastage AND corruption of MPs and ministers in the guise of allowances.Just after 5 years of their services as parlaimentarians, should not they be allowed to entittle to life long pensions.
              Also the authorities enjoying some allowances should be subjected to cut-off. As politicians, they should devote their time and courage to the rebuilding of this nation and country.

              • 3
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                L M ,

                Couple of decades back we used to call rich people in Sinhala ,
                Lashapathi and Koatipathi meaning if you have one hundred
                thousand Rs , you are a Lakshapathi and a bit more is
                Koatipathi and not necessarily it has to be numerically over 10
                million to be a kotipathi . And today , where is that Lakshapathi ?
                Lakshapathi is not rich anymore . Koatipathi is the new
                Lakshapathi . In what Economic science do we learn Tax is for
                settling the borrowings to fill the coffer emptied by Thieves ?
                Nobody can compare the Tax system in a country like UK with
                a sinking ship like Srilanka . In short , anywhere in the real
                taxing world , people know why they pay taxes and where their
                taxes end up . Do we know why we pay this tax ?

                • 2
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                  Dear LM: Don’t worry. Those “Kotipathiyas” have not disappeared, but they are well cared for and live a life of luxury.

                  A good example is the “12 companies that have yet to pay Income Taxes amounting to Rs. 1.6 billion” as reported in the media. I have checked this information and can even name those outfits. In addition, these “Kotipathiyas” have outstanding loan repayments amounting to another huge amount of Rs. 6 billion of which this Government is “Writing Off” at every interval without the knowledge of the people. Aren’t these “Kotipathiyas” well looked after and continue to live in luxury? Some of them have even declared and campaigned to “Be Presidents”.

                  Re. your comment on those “Pension” and “Perks” to MPs, are you ready to support NPP, the only political party that has VOWED to withdraw all that?

            • 4
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              leelagemalli,

              Your doctor friend probably has his house and property in Sri Lanka that was never subject to the wealth and property taxes. So yes, living in Sri Lanka is paradise for the rich. It’s the doctors that have to purchase property and private school education for their children who migrate to countries that have taxes to fund normal life for their citizens…..taxes that adjust according to the circumstances of the country so their people can have a decent life.

              • 3
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                1
                Dear Ramona,

                Many of the srilankens have their house properites. Be you are a farmer or doctor, you have a house in SRILANKA. but most of them dont pay taxes…. so how can a govt find their avenues for state revenues ? I think university education should fully be privatised in SRILANKA, with access being given free to those who are under previledged. Those who get bursaries or statefunds must pay their loans back as is the case in Germany for their students (German univeristies are offering free education to their locals and foreign students).

                My friend never had foreign stays also for his PGs before. He was surprised the manner how european countries the manner they tax the salaries of any employee. It is the conditioned mind set of our average.

                listen will you Ramona, impementation of taxes to this country is long overdue. That is a fact about which we should not argue on that fact.

                Tbc

                • 3
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                  2
                  Politicians in our country have abused their tenures for no good reasons. Each and every govt has misled the nation more or less. Except good governance govt, no other govts according to the experts, they were able to fulfil most part of the pledges given to the people.
                  .
                  THeir govt changes have done nothing to the public. Public too were not fair to have repeatedly elected untrustful candidates only recognizing the his or her ” popularity”. That occured through the virus of SINHALA-BUDDHISM.

                  The lawmakers should have implemented the tax system to its people long long ago. TOday, all these would be seen as ” coming as everything at once”: That is too much to the people. TIN should have been introduced long long ago.
                  I really dont know if you watched the video of CHAMUDITHA with a srilanken american today, he was opening the eyes of masses in this country.

                  • 1
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                    Dear LM: Yesterday, I walked into a “Supper Market” in Malambe to buy some essentials including a few eggs and chicken. I checked the bill and could not find an item added to the total as “VAT”. Does that mean, those “Essentials” are exempted from tax, “VAT” or the “Vat” tax has been added to the retail price for me to fatten the pocket of the owners of the “Chain” but not let the Government collect taxes?

                    That “TIN” is a MUST, but the “MESS” in introducing it is unforgiven. I have written to the authorities and the Ministers and now one of my proposals is going to be implemented. It is now decided to open the “TIN” with the NIC (National Identity Card”) number and the remaining proposal to make it “Compulsory” for every citizen of 18 years and old to file a Tax Return even with “0.00” income has not received attention.

                    • 1
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                      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SlW6tjz96ho

                      This link would guide you to some important info about lanken society even if I dont like TUITION traders.

                      My dear Douglas Mahathmayo, it is the same in Europe. It has a lot to do with the Russian war, the covid crisis and subsequent economic recovery, and other transnationally affected issues. If you have a brain the size of a needle (Lanken type), putting all the Lankan beasts in one bucket and attacking the government in power is unacceptable.

                      People are struggling to meet the cost of living. The wages/salaries of professionals or skilled workers have not been increased proportionately. As a top professional I can manage but commoners are in big trouble. Dairy products, cooking oil, gas and many other items that we used to buy easily have gone up by 30-50% or more. Can you imagine that a “head of Blumann Kohl” costs €3 (Rs 1200) in Germany these days?

                    • 1
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                      Blumenkohl – A head of cauliflower costs 3 euros today in Germany. It was only 1 euro before. Therefore, their prices have increased by 300%

                • 2
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                  Leelagemalli,

                  No they don’t. Their parents might have properties but once it’s divided amongst the children, there’s not much left for each child. Or they night have rural properties that don’t have the sale-value for them to live in city areas for upward mobility. So, working people usually need to start from scratch. Many parents sell off their properties to send their children to study overseas (depriving the country with much needed currency).

                  Yes, I agree that students that come from higher-income brackets should pay fees for all services. But those over that monetary bracket usually take the money they amass from the Lankan system and go to Western Universities. They also attend private schools and hospitals that usually place their profits to be rolled in offshore accounts (someone should check on these institutions).

                  Of course the tax-system is long overdue. But it should be implemented intelligently. At this current dire economic stage, only those with earnings over say, Rs. 500,000/month should be taxed, with it going up in grades per RS.500,000. Once the economy stabilizes, than it should be an overall flat tax.

                  • 1
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                    [edited out]Ramona, thanks for your efforts but what I meant is something else.
                    This is definitely an answer to all my comments above like “koheda yanne malle pol”. This is very common with sinhalaya belonging to ” baby booming generation”.
                    If they are asked to answer to the point, they would go and see the life styles of ” adam and eva” and make roundabouts. Alas, when would our nation be normal ?
                    Again prevarications as usual. Did you learn it from the MEDAMULANA beasts? It was a public secret that you were a staunch supporter of them, until recently right ?

        • 5
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          It’s comparing USA’s beef stakes, eggs, and cheese insecurity to Sri Lanka’s lentils, kankun, and pol-sambol insecurity.

          Over 30% are food insecure in Sri Lanka vs 12%/in USA who don’t have beef stakes for dinner. The 12% and more are exempt from taxes in USA. Most states in USA do not have Sale Taxes(VAT) on grocery items. Essential food is taxed in Sri Lanka. Of Sri Lanka’s starving 30%, only 10% get food assistance (3% of Lankans).

          99% of those who live in tents in US are drug addicts or mentally instable. Drug addicts are tortured in jail in Sri Lanka. Normal people who are starving roam the streets in Sri Lanka.

          With the taxes we pay, we get a very comfortable lifestyle. Taxes paid in Sri Lanka lowers the level of an already low level of living, to pay for your governments’ excesses and follies.

        • 3
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          Old Codger,

          It’s like comparing USA’s beef steaks, eggs, and cheese insecurity to Sri Lanka’s lentils, kankun, and pol-sambol insecurity.

          Over 30% are food insecure in Sri Lanka vs 12%/in USA who don’t have beef steaks for dinner. The 12% and more are exempt from taxes in USA. Most states in USA do not have Sale Taxes(VAT) on grocery items. Essential food is taxed in Sri Lanka. Of Sri Lanka’s starving 30%, only 10% get food assistance (3% of Lankans).

          99% of those who live in tents in US are drug addicts or mentally instable. Drug addicts are tortured in jail in Sri Lanka. Normal people who are starving roam the streets in Sri Lanka.

          With the taxes we pay in US, we get a very comfortable lifestyle. Taxes paid in Sri Lanka lowers the level of an already low level of living, to pay for your governments’ excesses and follies.

          • 1
            1

            Ramona ,
            “99% of those who live in tents in US are drug addicts or mentally instable. “
            No they are not. Some are people (including
            veterans) who got thrown out their houses because they couldn’t afford the taxes.
            https://youtu.be/LEJwdT-3nYo?si=lw6fApcihum7jRfw
            Here’s your own local paper:
            https://www.pghcitypaper.com/news/short-and-long-term-barriers-impede-path-to-stable-housing-for-pittsburghs-growing-homeless-community-22922224
            Ramona, before trying to solve Lankan problems, why not try and fix your own country? Also, don’t lie by describing the poor as all drug addicts.

            • 3
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              Old Codger,

              Didn’t you read that many are on opioid use and can’t pay their rents? There are shelters they can go to but choose not to because of this. They are also exempt from taxes if they don’t have employment. In fact it says, “…who plan to continue living outside this winter rather than seeking shelter at the newly-opened Second Avenue Commons.” Over here they constantly work in waves trying to combat these many problems. But of course more should be done and the billionaire class taxed far more – Biden did increase the taxes in the wealthy.

              The numbers are nowhere like the numbers of starving people of Sri Lanka, especially the children who direly need the nutrition. It’s quite useless trying to be smug and clever by snaking and shifting through all kinds of out-of-text avenues in trying to prove your point. Just think of how much our people have suffered for generations and come to this even more awful state at thus time, before trying to make a buck off trying to sell our Motherland to the very places you are so critical of.

              • 1
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                It’s quite useless trying to be smug and clever by snaking and shifting through all kinds of out-of-context avenues in trying to prove your point.

              • 1
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                Ramona
                “The numbers are nowhere like the numbers of starving people of Sri Lanka,”
                But there aren’t any living in tents in Colombo, are there?
                My country is poor, yes, but it takes care of its poor much better than your country ever did.
                I am not being smug. But I wouldn’t say that about people who preach socialist revolution from the comfort of Pittsburgh….
                YOU said the homeless are all drug addicts. Your hometown newspaper says they aren’t.

                • 0
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                  Old Codger,

                  Just read the article thoroughly, will you, and stop trying to dupe:

                  “Of the 880 total people counted in February 2022, 105 were living outside unsheltered.” [Just look at the comparative small numbers (percentages) compared to Sri Lanka]

                  “According to city officials, the majority of people living outside in Allegheny County are already on the waitlist for subsidized housing.”

                  “ “existing resources involve so many hoops to jump through and take such a long amount of time” that many people are forced to fend for themselves for prolonged periods………….Katrina has so far waited seven months, and Mike more than a year……………..Patterson says winter can be an extra dangerous time for IV drug users like Mike and Katrina.”

                  “Service providers at Second Avenue Commons have designed the shelter to reduce barriers between people who are homeless and available resources. For example, although drug use is not allowed in the building, intoxicated individuals will not be turned away, and people can store whatever they want, including intoxicants, in private lockers.”

                  [The article also speaks of incarceration and opioid addiction].

                  • 0
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                    OC,

                    Of course more can be done, and they can e.g. create mobile homes for each person/ set of people, as the article says. There are already massive numbers of mobile home complex for the many poor – either subsidized or for free.

                    US also looks after their underprivileged communities sometimes from birth to death. To educate an underprivileged child till 18, costs the taxpayer over 2-million dollars. US lives in the gradual development of their disadvantaged societies. Disadvantaged students get free tertiary education also. On top of that, they take in illegal immigrants especially from the southern border and resettle them also.

                    In spite of the high taxes we pay very gladly, we are happy that this country looks after their poor. And we, the American Masses, live fairly well through it all. It was always a gradual implementation of taxes since WW2, or even earlier, since American independence.

                    • 2
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                      OC

                      Capitalism, in whatever horrific way US achieved it (albeit, much of it was good like their creations of technology that they share with the rest of the world), has done this country well. It is amazing that the leaders of Sri Lanka are trying to rub shoulders with America’s history, demanding that we be on par with them! Disgraceful! We need to install greater Socialism for our beloved Motherland.

                    • 2
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                      And yeah…..our homeless beggars go roaming the streets rather than live in tents. Tents are too expensive for them.

                    • 1
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                      Ramona,
                      Please stop prevaricating. Have you even heard about “gentrification ” of city neighbourhoods? That’s where many homeless come from.
                      “Direct displacement occurs when residents can no longer afford to remain in their homes due to rising housing costs. Residents may also be forced out by lease non-renewals, evictions, eminent domain, or physical conditions that render homes uninhabitable as investors await redevelopment opportunities. “
                      https://sites.utexas.edu/gentrificationproject/understanding-gentrification-and-displacement/

                    • 0
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                      OC,

                      Re. “gentrification ” of city neighbourhoods.” Again they are not the MASSES. But the small minority that is displaced usually go into temporary housing and soon are relocated into subsidized housing.

            • 2
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              OC – “It’s quite useless trying to be smug and clever”
              👆👆👆👆
              Perhaps you should take note….???
              😏😏😏

              • 1
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                Na….Old Codger is not smug. He is woefully misguided. We need to show him the error of his ways. We have to hold his hands and lead him to the light. 🌞🌟

                • 1
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                  Ramona,
                  Will you stop sneering at us Third Worlders and tell the truth for once?
                  Can YOU get an ambulance to your doorstep in another city to take you to hospital without insurance?

                  https://www.hmpgloballearningnetwork.com/site/emsworld/news/10977222/pittsburgh-ems-fees-may-jump-40#:~:text=For%20Pittsburgh%20residents%2C%20the%20city%20bills%20insurance%20companies%2C%20Medicaid%20or,Pittsburgh%20residents%20are%20not%20billed.

                  • 0
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                    Old Codger,

                    For the MASSES who have health insurance, Yes! For those that do not have it, yes, they too have access to the ambulance service. However, that are laden with enormous medical bills at the end of it, of which either they have to suffer to pay for, or appeal to Medicaid or philanthropic organizations. Things need to improve, of course. Sri Lanka on the other hand does not even have adequate ambulance services. It’s gradually improving I hear, but most come from donor nations.

                    • 0
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                      Ramona,
                      Why don’t you come to Sri Lanka and dial 1990?
                      You won’t get a huge medical bill even if you flash your superior US passport.🤣🤣

                    • 0
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                      OC,
                      _
                      Gosh….I had a relative who recently met with an accident on the road on the road between Colombo and Kandy. Ambulances never came with the multiple people calling one. Finally, after several hours of suffering in the terrible heat, a van arrived (someone was kind enough to help with their van), and my relative was hoisted up, broken bones and all, onto a makeshift stretcher by the head-scratching crowds gathered around, and transported dead to the hospital.😥

                  • 1
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                    Oc,
                    .
                    [Edited out] Ramona will continue with her usual prevarications. Bandarawela man does the same.
                    Simply put, she is barking up to wrong tree.
                    Trump- factor might be the reason among the varied other reasons 🤔 alas, when would our people see it ✅️????? Is the biggest question

                    • 1
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                      leelagemalli,

                      Pity that you have to use misogyny for lack of decent argument. Our Motherland is at the worse for it with such inadequacy.

                    • 1
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                      Dear Ramona,
                      .
                      “Pity that you have to use misogyny for lack of decent argument. Our Motherland is at the worse for it with such inadequacy.”

                      I feel like you really don’t know what you’re talking about. As for commenting, you keep it because some of you subscribe to CT because you have no other hobbies.
                      Besides, it was OC, not me, reiterated that you are used to prevaricate, I just seconded it because I saw it in your comment a long time ago.
                      .
                      Now why do you turn it into “mysogeny” for no reason?

                      I am a geneticist by education and would like to know if there is any blood relationship, you with Sinhalese man.
                      Btw why should I support your incoherent comments by adding my counter comments? I ignore them. that’s it.

                      Mysogeny:
                      Misogyny is hatred of, contempt for, or prejudice against women or girls. It is a form of sexism that can keep women at a lower social status than men, thus maintaining the social roles of patriarchy. Misogyny has been widely practised for thousands of years.

                      Honestly, I’m not a misogynist. My mother is my compass in my life. So how could I ever be a misogynist?

                    • 0
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                      Thank you CT for editing the misogynist word out, by the commentator called leelagemalli………hmm….wonder why he keeps commenting and then accuses others of having no hobbies for also commenting 🤔.

                • 0
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                  😀 Me thinks he prefers nudist beaches. On the plus side there’s plenty of sunlight on beaches. 😏

              • 1
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                Ruchira,
                It isn’t my fault if some people get caught making sweeping statements that they can’t prove.

                • 0
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                  OC

                  You our-of-context hold little proof. What a sad and sorry situation. Typical! Alas for our struggling people.

                  • 0
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                    Your out-of-context links and statements hold little proof.*

                  • 0
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                    Ramona ,
                    “Alas for our struggling people.”
                    You mean the ones living in tents? They are your people, not mine.

                    • 0
                      0

                      OC,

                      “Alas for our struggling people.”
                      You mean the ones living in tents? They are your people, not mine.”.

                      Both are my people! My heart bleeds for both.

                      There is always the knowledge of the stark difference in percentages of the suffering people of each nation.

                • 0
                  0

                  OC – Will leave the two of you to sort it out. :)

                • 1
                  2

                  OC,
                  That is the problem in our society. This is a really big issue that has to do with their thought patterns. However, it is so vague that they cannot remove them. It’s like “kodiwina wageyi”.
                  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_xqi8DmsFaI
                  (this is called hypnotism in western world, that way they could read their undermind – that is not praciable to everyone, but to some).
                  .
                  Most of them do not see things logically. Many never raised the question of why the “Medamulana Beast” was kept aloft by providing him with 200 or more bodyguards at taxpayers’ expense. The MAIN STREAM media behaves like the “elephant in the room, no one is talking about it”.
                  :
                  JVP’s platform presentations do not focus on the major issues of the people. The masses do not question how the JVP will delight them with the “aladdin’s lamp of wonder” after capturing power by hook or by crook. People swallow one at a time.

                  • 1
                    0

                    People are weaker than they appear. They will do anything and everything if mislead.
                    .
                    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QMU7MYoe4N0

                  • 0
                    0

                    Leela,

                    “Many never raised the question of why the “Medamulana Beast” was kept aloft by providing him with 200 or more bodyguards at taxpayers’ expense.”

                    Thank the stars for German engineering. Gota was in a (2006) BMW 550i when the suicide bomber tried to take him out. Car is both bombproof and bulletproof even at that time. A colleague recently purchased an X5, I told her it’s a fine choice.As I understand, there were three or four attempts to take out MaRa bros. The terrorists had rented out an apartment complex in Welawatte. One of the operatives was an undergrad at Moratuwa U. He jumped off the building (7th floor) when the police came.

                • 1
                  0

                  OC – you have said: “It isn’t my fault if some people get caught making sweeping statements that they can’t prove.”
                  .
                  Proving things require a certain discourse, a scientific and/or academic one.
                  .
                  We all make general statements. Its called making conversation.
                  .
                  In this case I don’t see anything wrong in what ramona has said.
                  .
                  What she seems to be saying is that things are comparatively better in the US than in SL. Do you disagree with that?
                  .
                  Or have I misunderstood what she has been saying? Which is a possibility as I didn’t pay a whole lot of attention to all the posts she has made or things she has said.

  • 3
    3

    The global economy is capitalist. There’s no total escape from it and the IMF is an institution that serves this capitalist economy. Capitalist economy by default is about accumulating wealth and investment of such wealth in creating more wealth in the process creating employment as well. This is how the benefits are supposed to trickle down.
    .
    I am not sure if Dr. Ali has fully grasped the NPP stance or if he is projecting his own ideas as that of the NPP’s. Because the idea of exporting surplus I believe is an outdated model. For the sake of brevity what is required is integrating local economy with regional and global ones.
    .
    Production is no longer what it used to be. It is no longer a local phenomenon, but a process fragmented and hyper-specialized in an overall system of global supply chains. This offers small players like us to engage and compete in the production processes that we couldn’t have been traditionally able to do.
    .
    How we could plug into this is where our success lies. .
    .

    • 3
      5

      Continued…
      .
      From the little I have listened to on NPP policies, they seem to have a fair understanding of this, more than Ranil or even Dr. Ali.
      .
      RW, I believe doesn’t know what he is talking about except being a pawn in somebody else’s play book, parroting a script written by others.
      .
      NPP I don’t think is trying to reject investments per se. in promotion of local industries. To suggest so implies a closed economy akin to Sirimavo’s one, that scares the hell out of people, especially the old generation – the codgers! ;)
      .
      It scares the capitalist class and those who have been traditionally enjoying the trickle down effects of the same locally, away.
      .
      NPP’s difference seems to come in the form of some degree of protectionism in selected strategic areas, while promoting value addition and local industry participation in others. This is I believe where it would deviate from currently proposed and implemented plan mainly, with other minor changes.
      .
      Well executed it could be a winning strategy.
      .

      • 2
        4

        Continued…
        .
        Though the global economy and the IMF is capitalist in nature, it is a context within which each sovereign nation may have some flexibility to find an economic mix and a model that would work for them. It is the space of flexibility within which the NPP may have to operate in. IMF I’m sure would be in agreement with it. It would boil down to specific negotiations.
        .
        Various boogey men are created to scare people away from the NPP by their opponents. Hence its supporters must not reinforce such scare tactics.

        • 4
          0

          Ruchira,

          You say, “NPP’s difference seems to come in the form of some degree of protectionism in selected strategic areas, while promoting value addition and local industry participation in others. This is I believe where it would deviate from currently proposed and implemented plan mainly, with other minor changes.”

          Yes indeed. That is exactly what AA is saying. Once we are more equitable with the wealth of our people, there will certainly be a surplus we can export. Happened in agricultural places like Vietnam (they took care of their agriculture first for their starving people, before venturing into electronic production and exporting). Same with places like Russia, China, and the US. In Sri Lanka however, any profits generated from our export earnings are being merrily laundered in offshore schemes for a select few. And these profits are much, especially from the working masses who labored for decades in places like the Middle East so the profits could be generated.

          • 4
            1

            Ramona – thanks for the comment. “Yes indeed. That is exactly what AA is saying.” That’s all good then!

    • 0
      1

      “There’s no total escape from it”
      Socialism is all about escape from it.
      Do not write it off yet.

      • 0
        2

        Answered like a true comrade..! 😏 Nah I haven’t written off anything yet…

  • 8
    1

    It is TIME for NPP to declare that they will
    1] let the JUDICIARY and the Attorney General will function without any political interference.
    2] expedite the corruption cases
    3] imprison those convicted of murders
    4] imprison the drug dealers and not the Users.
    5] release all the political prisoners
    6] introduce MERITOCRACY & Honesty in public/ private dealings
    7] facilitate the SL Diaspora to be of use in developing the country
    8] get back the looted money
    9] nationalise the properties that has been bought with stollen money
    10] Return the lands that are occupied by defence forces to private owners

    • 1
      0

      Dear Naman,
      .
      Please consider
      the array of issues on which you want the NPP to declare their intentions. They have declared that they will get all these things done.
      .
      It goes further than that; as far as I am concerned they have convinced me that they will deliver on all that. I think that most readers here know that, the result being that they brand me as an NPP partisan, which is not the case if you take the word to mean that I’m a bigot with a personal agendum.
      .
      Consider for a moment the complexity of the tasks that you expect them to perform. They have to reach out all the millions of decent people in this land, and they are doing that. If you are dissatisfied with their performance, consider how small a grouping we are. Take the observations of people like Dr Ameer Ali seriously. If you don’t, nothing is likely to satisfy you.
      .
      And then don’t you become part of the problem?
      .
      Panini Edirisinhe of Bandarawela

      • 4
        0

        SM,
        “They have declared that they will get all these things done.”
        When and where exactly did they agree to No.10 in Naman’s list? In English, Sinhala, or Tamil? Do they say different things in different languages?
        If you can prove it, even I might vote JVP.

        • 4
          0

          old codger,
          .
          I’ve checked No.10 in Naman’s list. “Return the lands that are occupied by defence forces to private owners.”
          .
          I think that I’ve heard that promised in Sinhalese. I will not try to quote chapter and verse for that; almost impossible. Please take this as an assertion by me.
          .
          This is a serious problem that affects mainly the North and the East, and about such things I have mainly read about. Yes, it seems a serious issue. I don’t understand any Tamil, so I don’t know whether impossible promises are made, but what I have heard in Sinhala is rational, and not racist.
          .
          Land is not a problem that is out of control in the Western Province. In remoter areas like the Uva Province, squatting on State Lands is even now a major problem, and there I have some first-hand knowledge.
          .
          I’m not offering proof.
          .
          Panini Edirisinhe

          • 5
            1

            This is what i got to read 30 min ago.
            .
            https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-former-presidents-cbk-sirisena-to-back-incumbent-claims-akd-149008/

            If the current IMF recommendations are rejected, the country and the nation will sink deeper to the levels of the previous 16 times when the IMF recommendations were suspended.

          • 2
            0

            SM,
            For your information, they have never promised anything of the sort, because it would be political suicide. Please don’t ascribe policies to the JVP that you would like them to have. Let’s deal in FACTS.

        • 6
          4

          OC, so you are a land owner in the North !

          • 6
            6

            DS,
            No, not yet. But I plan to join the Army for some free land.

            • 5
              3

              I say Codger, in your desire to sound clever you have become illogical !

              Earlier in this dialog you said you will vote for the JVP if they return the lands now under army protection.

              Now you say you will join the army to get free land !

              Yes we know those whose God is Ranil can lie, contradict and deceive.

              But remember the JVP will not be contaminated by ex Ranil boys.

              They rather lose than get your vote !

  • 3
    4

    IMF protects and promotes the interests of the capitalist class. NPP is promising to renegotiate with IMF. IMF’s economic agenda would have better success under NPP.
    But, NPP has to promise National Reconciliation for it to win the Election.

    • 3
      2

      Dear Nathan,
      .
      I have seen you raising queries of this sot before; but I saw one of them too late, after comments had closed.
      .
      The NPP is absolutely committed to ensure National Reconcilliation. All I can say in the face of efforts being made to drive fear into you, is that I, who follow carefully the ways in which they enunciate their policies is that I’m convinced that their vision for the future is one in which the current leadership has no desire whatsoever to be permanent fixtures in the seats of power.
      .
      I repeat what I have said before that they don’t have a sufficient array of people to put their ideas across in languages other than Sinhala. We older people are not able to access all the means of communication now in use, and I know that you must be finding it difficult to believe this to be the case. These weak efforts of mine are my modest contribution to correcting that situation.
      .
      Panini Edirisinhe

      • 6
        2

        Dear Father of NAIVITY and GULLIBILITY,
        .
        The NPP is absolutely committed to ensure National Reconcilliation.

        But how?

        Puns can only mislead innocent stupid dominated nation AGAIN.

        We know that our average population is dumber than any other population in the developed world. They usually don’t use their brains, they use their feelings. This is the mistake we have made as a nation.

        AKD Deyyo must finally respect this and free us from our long-standing ambiguities.
        :
        Why can’t they still come forward and educate the masses who are engaging with their strategy about how it can work? (Incidentally, this is one of AKD et al.’s many unanswered key questions.)
        .
        How can stupid people know that AKD means what he says? What evidence do we have about HIS practicality in politics? Nor is he a successful businessman.
        .
        -We are all doubtful that he would rob out times in the same way as the empty promises of the apolitical leader (Joker Gota who was thrown out of the presidency) his VIYATHAMAGA jokers ended up …..

        The “shame” genes of both POLITICIANS and the Sri Lankan population in general are somehow inhibited.

        That’s why MAHENDRA and GOTA Pariah are now back in the spotlight as if they intentionally did nothing wrong in the three and a half years they were robbed for their GOTA-MaRa-Basil government…

        • 4
          1

          Thank you, leelagemalli.
          Sinhala_Man, ‘But how?’, seems the proper Q.

          • 0
            3

            Thanks, Nathan, whom I don’t know personally.
            .
            Your rationality helps. What is asserted repeatedly by the NPP, and especially by AKD, is that Family Bandyism, Caste Discrimination, Racism, and Religious Bigotry have been the bane of our country. You have identified the “proper Question”: “How?”
            .
            At this point of my writing, I’ve taken a quick look at Kumar David’s article which had come on before this by Ameer Ali, with Rajan Philips’ sandwiched between them. How do I know that? By going into the Archives.
            .
            So, I’m doing my homework, Nathan. Half our task is getting done by adopting the right attitude. So, thanks, Nathan. I’ll return tomorrow, and see how we’re faring.
            .
            I know “leelagemalli” and I’m happy that he has given a link below Kumar’s article; a link praising Germans for protesting against the far right, and against “dictatorship”. But how can I respond meaningfully to LM, when for him, Dictatorships stop with the Rajapaksas? How little respect LM has for Lankans! I have given up communicating with this guy who refers to “AKD Deyyo” and “GOTA Pariah“.
            .
            It’s past midnight in Bandarawela, and I must sleep!
            .
            Panini Edirisinhe

            • 3
              0

              Panini Edirisinghe aka Bandarawela Man,
              .
              Some time ago “Balangoda Man” was known to Sri Lankans in terms of human evolution. Now it has turned to “Bandarawela Man”.
              That’s how we got to know you through your funny comments. If a critical question is raised by me or anyone else, you never respond to the matter. That is your nature.. This is now clear to us CT readers. So many dont take you serious.
              .
              Why do I respect Sri Lankans anymore? I can sympathize with the poor, children, old people, but why do I respect so many people who behave like punnaku eaters?
              Please give me some reasons.
              I have no doubt that the upcoming election will not work for “real change”: but certainly, the opposition will be stronger as democratic rights have to be preserved. That’s a good thing too. You may have dreams, but we must be reality. SN’s funeral and the large number of SLPP supporters, dispelled my doubts. Even today many people and their behavior are like the bark of a tree in this country due to Rajapakseism and their rascal culture.

              • 4
                1

                cont.
                .
                However, based on over 5000 fake facebook accounts, SMedia allows the wave of JVP-NPP campaigners to continue. Isn’t that self-deception? People let the wound fester. So now it is an incurable misfortune. If the mainstream media were smart, they could have made a real difference for this nation.

                As you know, many people in our country are blind and deaf. whether you have set an example to the youth by saying, “I am the best or unique teacher,” please look back. No, you’ve been wasting your time for years now. That is way different to the nature of senior teachers in Malaysia, Indonesia, Taiwan and South korea where peopel have ushered much high qualifity of life.
                # Two days ago, when I saw how Sri Lankan MPs deliberately misused money for unnecessary transportation to SN’s funeral, I thought that no one there really cares about anything.
                What special right does Mahendra Rajapaksa have to misuse public money (over 200 bodyguards) for his security? Who repeatedly raises the question in the Sri Lankan media? No one…. Why?

          • 5
            2

            Thanks to Nathan who always gives short answers. We logical thinkers really appreciate your short and sweet answers.

            We hope that our so-called village schoolmaster will dispel our doubts and prevent us because if he confirms that the NPP is doing job, he should reveal more information to us. We eagerly await his constructive response in this regard.

  • 4
    1

    I think all you guys should desist from counting your chickens before they are hatched.

    The ground reality is …….. Ranil is using any and all means to stay in power. ……. What measures will you take if he doesn’t hold elections? Have you got a backup plan?

    Ranil is not playing all his dirty tricks now ……. to hold elections in October and just fade into oblivion ……..

    That’s where people should be focused on.


    The Underhand schemes and deals of the Americans are unknown to the Lankan public ……….. I feel they are aiding and abetting him, if not Ranil wouldn’t be so bold and gung ho: by nature he is a whimpering coward.

    Do you believe Mahinda was willing to go when he lost ……. until John Kerry had a little chat with him behind the scenes. ……….. Don’t discount what the American embassy in Colombo is up to ………

    • 3
      7

      “until John Kerry had a little chat with him behind the scenes. ……….. “
      .
      Really? How do you know?

  • 6
    0

    Good article by Ameer
    He admit that NPP is the only party which is not ethnocentric
    Other than corruption, suppression of human rights and bad economic management, major hindrance to the correct political pathway is ethnocentric agendas put forward by middle classTamil and Muslim ethnic parties and their advocates. They constantly bash Sinhaleese Buddhist for the crime created by Rajapakse regiemn.
    It id true that Rajapakses sold ethnicity and religion for majority vote most of the Sinhalese people were deceived by the regiemn as much as they deceived Tamils, Muslims and other ethnoreligious factions.

  • 4
    0

    The poor and middle class are burdened unfairly through indirect taxes as Dr AA describes. This is when the income inequality is on the rise. Therefore, the overhaul of the SL tax system is an urgent need. Equally important is the effective tax collection without the interference of the politicos, audit process, and implementation of tax codes.

    You could have any number of anti-corruption rules legislated, however, it will be hard to route out the corruption without Aragalaya system change that the status quo parties, UNP/SLFP/SLPP loathe.

    • 4
      0

      Ruchira,
      .
      It is difficult to predict how many candidates for President there will be this time. In 2019 there were 35.
      .
      Those are imponderables; what we can do is to be aware of the Rules. Know that there are Preferential votes. Vote intelligently.

      • 3
        0

        Sinhala Man – Yes, I agree. Even last time many weren’t aware of the preferential votes and specially how one could use the preferential voting system to express disappointment and protest by not giving the first vote to the most favourable candidate to win the elections.

  • 3
    1

    Agree that it is not certain that there will be an Election this year.
    Agree that We don’t know what the Indians and US have planned.
    Only Time will tell as things don’t happen according to the Constitution or laws of the country. It is better for the Parliament not to pass Laws that has not been put forward to the Highest courts of the country!

  • 4
    0

    We need a change from family dictatorship and the system that is followed by the same old governments and political institutions of the past. JVP may not solve all the problems of the past but they may be different to the existing political institution because we all know they are different and we need to give opportunities for them to experiment their way of governance. Unless we give them a chance we will never see any change in the governance that leads to economic bankruptcy. We have no right to criticise them without sufficient evidence. We have sufficient evidence to prove that the existing system created corruption, lawlessness, biased administration, no accountability in all institutions including executive presidency, parliament, military, judiciary etc.

    • 5
      0

      Dear Ajith,
      .
      Thanks
      for expressing lower expectations than most. Too many ask for proof in areas where there can be no absolute proof.
      .
      We can see that so many things are wrong with the present. AKD is credible; he asserts that there are no “Supermen”. We are all fallible humans; such beings cannot produce perfection.

  • 1
    0

    What the SL voters WANT is for LAW and ORDER to established through out the country. “ YUKTHIA” that is being enacted is a boru show and is being targeted against the wrong people.
    Reconciliation etc etc is not the prime requirement at the present JUNCTURE but to see that Judiciary is not tampered with. It is very SAD that ethnic and religious differences had been used by LOW IQ corrupt RULERS to thrive and hard working rural population to suffer with poor nutrition health and transport system.
    Lots of lives ( animals & humans) are being lost due to accidents.

  • 0
    1

    Have seen many people post questions here regarding NPP policies. Their economic plan, costing and funding, and the position on the ethnic problem etc., etc. This is their official website. It has a form to contact them. You can submit all your questions directly to them without relying on third parties to find answers for you!!! Regards.

    • 1
      0

      Ooppss my baadd. I forgot to post the link. Here it is. Scroll down to the bottom of the page.
      .
      https://www.npp.lk/en/

      • 1
        0

        Hello Ruchira,
        After reading the Transparency International CPI Report – https://www.transparency.org/en/cpi/2023 – it would seem that Sri Lanka has dropped 4 points since 2017. I took your advice and checked out the NPP Link to see if they had specific proposals to deal with this.. I would agree with most of their aspirations, however what seems to be lacking are concrete proposals on how they will tackle the severe economic problems and the endemic corruption in Sri Lanka. I thought that the Policies section would give some answers however this is what you see “(NPP Manifesto produced for 2019 General Election… Await new Policy Document!)” Maybe I am not looking in the right place.

        Best regards

        • 0
          1

          LankaScot – Not sure if I follow you, when you say “Maybe I am not looking in the right place”. What were you looking for?/Expected to find?
          .
          Yes. They have mentioned that a new policy document will be made available soon. I guess we’ll have to atleast wait for that before writing them off.
          .
          If not for NPP what other alternative would you suggest, keeping in mind the two main concerns you have highlighted above: the severe economic crisis and rampant corruption?
          .
          I have never been a supporter of JVP/NPP though I was always sympathetic towards them and their cause. In fact my somewhat recent experiences even left me with a bad impressiin of them. Regardless the greater circumstances have forced me to think that they are the best option for us right now.

        • 0
          0

          Dear LankaScot,
          .
          That criticism is justified, but given the milieu in which they have to operate, they are doing a wonderful job.
          .
          I know that there is all too much in Sinhala, but if you don’t know that language, then you flounder. They just don’t have enough Tamil speakers (so much depends on Savithri Saroja Paul Raj – but she’s an amazing woman, with Sinhala better than mine) although they have quite a few good English speakers.
          .
          However, here’s something that you could do; from that website, locate AKD’s Office Landline. There’s even a mobile, which I don’t think that I’ve ever tried. It’s unlikely that any phone that he answers personally is going to be listed just like that. The poor man wouldn’t be able t do any work at all if that were the case.
          .
          That landline works 24 hours of the day. You could get your Sinhalese wife to ring at at any time in the night when you’ve got time to kill when waiting for transport to get you to some place. She could have chats with whoever is manning the phone. Quite a variety of people, but mostly (not always) retired JVP stalwarts. Depending on how you talk to them, you could get the phone numbers of many of their Central Committee Members, but of course, one can’t waste too much of the time of the CC members.

        • 0
          1

          LankaScot – Thanks for sharing the Transparency International CPI report.
          .
          The NPP website the link to which I have provided above also has a Q&A section that you could access from the main menu. It displays the questions people ask and the answers they provide.
          .
          I have submitted my question that is related to corruption in Sri Lanka that you too have tried to highlight here and am awaiting their response.
          .
          In your opinion who, as in which party, would address the issue of corruption in the country best abd why do you think so?

        • 0
          1

          LankaScot,
          .
          Below is an excerpt from the TI’s CPI report you have shared.
          .
          “Countries ranking high on the CPI have an impunity problem of their own, even if this isn’t reflected in their scores. Many cross-border corruption cases have involved companies from top-scoring countries that resort to bribery when doing business abroad. Others have implicated professionals who sell secrecy or otherwise enable foreign corrupt officials. And yet, top-scoring countries often fail to go after perpetrators of transnational corruption and their enablers.”
          .
          A problem in my view that will increase in the coming decades unless effective transnational, international, mechanisms are put in place to address the issue.
          .
          This in my view also further impacts negatively on local corruption in countries that traditionally have low CPIs due to inefficiencies in their systems of governance and justice.
          .
          Any thoughts you may have?

          • 1
            0

            Hello Ruchira,
            I worked for a company (11 years) that was involved in serious international bribery and had to pay a substantial amount to the UK and USA in fines. They had even paid moneys to the Rajapaksas and their lackeys although the bulk of the bribery involved the Middle East. All of this came out due to the actions of the UK Serious Fraud Office and probably some whistleblowers. The company made major changes to the senior management at the highest levels and embarked on an educational mission on Ethical Behaviour that engaged all of the company’s personnel and at the same time took steps to ensure that anyone engaged in corrupt practices was suitably dealt with. During this time I was aware of personnel that had been dismissed from the company.
            Major changes took place over a period, however because it was driven by the top levels of management its effects were thorough and resulted in a complete halt to any corruption. Lessons for Sri Lanka – over to you?
            Best regards

            • 0
              1

              LankaScot – Thanks. I knew you may have something to say. :)

  • 0
    0

    The NPP needs to compare between Vietnam and Singapore models to see which one is more suitable if they could adopt or they should go for a hybrid instead. Singapore, within a few years, had overwhelming foreign direct investments. Vietnam, war devastated, fundamentally a closed economy, indigenously built the current economy. Imitating Singapore is extraordinarily impossible for Langkang. This is why I wrote in one of my earlier comments not to wait for the Volkswagen factory. In the past 75 years Langkang Sinhala Buddhist Viyathmaga Modaya had created a Guinness Book record in chasing out everybody, not just British companies, not just Burger community, not just Tamils (who left as refugees on their own land), but even Japan, a country itself was falling on the feet of Modayas. Arrogant Langkang Modayas kicked it too. So no longer does Langkang even have Japan. If it were not a miracle, it was still an achievement CBK was able to bring China as the first modern country willing to invest(lend) Langkang in Nuraicholai. But it failed and was, later, corrupted and turned around as the worst detrimental project to the Langkang economy. Nuraicholai Generators cannot still function properly, but the time now is their useful – profit making life might be over.

  • 0
    0

    Still, it was an achievement compared with the serious damage instilled to international trading before and after that, like 1). driving out British companies even as late as the 1970s, 2). country falling into hands of uneducated, half-baked socialist Modayas, called Pancha Maha Pala Vegaya, in 1956, 3). discarding International Language English and making Sinhala Only, 4). further destruction to education ignoring merit admission, but implementing Standardization, 5). JVP uprising, 6). LTTE’s freedom war, 7). Indian Army invading 8). The annual celebrations, called pogroms and riots and 9). Lately the country had been registered as a fully corrupted entity in the international market when EU and FATF branded it as a safe haven to money launderers. Last year the country was listed below 10 in many industrial and productivity abilities. In the 1970s Hitachi was denied the opportunity to build a high-speed rail system from Colombo to Jaffna. That is what happened four years ago for its light rail project in Colombo and Japan took it to Bangladesh. There is a minister who died in Northwest, said to have met with an accident. He was said to be so useful for the ruling Old Rowdy Royal group. But the Old Rowdy Royal group immediately replaced him with one of their own.

  • 0
    0

    On no occasion, even at one like this at which the Royal elites are on the brink of being defeated by the people, The UNP-SLFP Union cares less for the ⅓ of the masses who cannot have three meals, but tyrannical Royals cares to use every opportunity to step on people with additionally one more step with their jackboots. I am not being sarcastic, but serious here. Does the country need one more Criminal Rowdy Royal Minister to ensure their grip on the country? Is this for what the IMF Mission Chief Peter Bauer and his group shuttling between Colombo and Washington, every quarter, to forcefully grant unconditional loans? This is for what Tamils have been calling the international community to note that the leadership of Sinhala Buddhists passed long before Queen Antonette in recommending eating cake for the poor. They have lost their common sense long ago and Tamil people cannot look for justice from them, so the international community has to take care of the matter until the country returns back to democracy. Langkang rulers, to gain local votes, can keep talking about miracles of Asia or the richest country by 2048, but no companies will come here to throw their hard-earned cash.

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    NPP, if it wants to start everything from anew, must remember that Langkang history is not just written only in chronicle, Mahavamsa, but it is in many international trade and commerce magazines too. If Anura comes in the next election, beyond all the above bad past publicities, investors will be seeing his government as a socialist government. He needs time to break that perception and give them to understand that the NPP is not a theoretical government but has risen on the needs of the people and will do all that can be done to honor its birth reason and purpose. Simply talking sweet may not work, because other than China, India and America others have no interest in coming to Langkang and be startled or boggled in that nightmare. That means any money thrown in must be returned back with profits. Any help offered must be gestured with a friendly relationship. At least within two-three years a new, positive image – hope giving an impression – has to be created. Hope building is not reading syllables from Mahavamsa Chronicle at Oxford University or on German DM TV on how life was under colonialism, hoping to have insulted the ones you look for help, while you run real tyrannical administrations at home like no other.

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    For how long were India, Bangladesh, Vietnam ignored and discounted by investing companies? Things turned around, at last, didn’t it. At first Mountains refused to recognize Mohammad, but later changed their minds and went to Mohammad, didn’t they? NPP has to follow the proper examples to make the mountains move. At the time of freedom, Ceylon was admired as Switzerland of the East. But when the Sinhala Only imposed and the Sinhala Buddhists came out, sidelined the Tamil who were running the show, their true colors showed up; Langkang turned out to be the dumping ground of Chinese poop. India had its Gandhian austerity foundation for roughing out in hard times. Vietnam had its socialistic control. But in Langkang’s case, the Sinhala community does not show patience until the cake gets baked. From Don Stephen time, they kept changing governments from UNP to SLFP to UNP to SLFP…. until Junious Richard came out with his novel idea of stopping Sinhalese changing their governments or MPs crossing party lines. Chandrika managed by peaceful means to secure for two terms. Then Old Rowdy and Evil started to tinker about the constitution to make them permanent bosses. But, still after 2009, no one has had two terms. NPP cannot afford to jump into that drill of “Get in get out” or “you are hired, and you are fired” if they dream about introducing systemic change.

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    The systemic changes and attracting Foreign Direct Investments in no way one can do in one term. So NPP has to be clear with people on that and NPP must provide them with at least minimum subsistence, until the changes start to show fruit. In other words, they tell the masses “If you are sending us to Temple Tree House and Diyawanna Lake Palace, remember to come and tick the vote paper a second time too. Otherwise, “it is your fault our systems changing are possibly failing”. The NPP should show understanding with the international community for not trusting the NPP on word-of-mouth dealings, because it was not their fault, because it was the history built by the UNP-SLFP union as ruling parties from 1948. So, the NPP has to deal with mature manners, instead of ignoring or withdrawing and refusing to deal with it. In Tamil, there is a saying “Iru Talai Kolli”. It is an ant trying to escape from the twig, on that It was crawling, because the twig’s both ends are on fire- no way to escape. You will not be able to undertake it or you cannot abandon it either.

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    That Is not all the foreseeable problem NPP should be ready to deal with. UNP-SLFP union tactfully keeps all loan restructuring to the last minute. So, if they lose, they will screw up the newcomer by easily downloading their mistakes to the new one. They are not honestly trying to fulfill IMF conditions for IMF loans. The “Evil – IMF” fact is only an inch away from facing a fate like the Banda-Chelva, Dudley Chelva, Indo- Lanka facts faced, by the uninterest in Central Bank and Evil administration showing to fulfill the IMF conditions. That may mean NPP may not be lucky enough to get the rest of the IMF EFF loan. That is why I wrote earlier. NPP must have plan B also, an idea of how to run the country without any loans, if that is going to be the case; but if they honestly, and without any hanky- panky, satisfy IMF’s conditions in their time, that must be treated as a bonus. But not getting it should not let people suffer by an unexpected catastrophe. Say the IMF just delayed it one or two years for some unrelated reason, NPP should have a volunteer committee in its government to deal with a situation like that.

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    One of the ways to look forward to working without loans is forging more free trade deals with neighbors. This will cut down the state income. But Langkang local, small industries will have a wider market, a breathing space from highly developed low-cost international actors, like China, Singapore, West or Eastern Tigers. Free trade brings down the cost of imported items for consumers. Foreign investors are not much worried about the governments’ corruption and instability, because their protections are written in the Free Trade agreements. By buying at a better price, local banks’ foreign exchange is saved and by exporting to neighbors’ foreign exchange is earned. These are painless cures for local consumers who are badly hurt by taking foreign currencies to deposits in foreign bank accounts by the ruling class. The best is forcing the thieves to close their foreign accounts and return the looted money, if the NPP can get that done. A successful free trade with India can bring the necessary confidence of Langkang to the other or global manufacturing plants operators. They are going to say, “India is there, then why are we fearing; let’s go!”. This delivers a different path from China built, non performing white elephants. After many times India requested for ETCA, the last Yahapalanaya government made a deal with Singapore to import for elites at cheaper price, no matching export from Langkang.

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    One more problem NPP has to be prepared to deal with is the leftover of the Superpowers Balancing game, Chandrika, Old Rowdy King and Yahapalanaya team played this game too well. Chandrika created a buffoon called Kadirgamar and used to get help from all the international foes and friends for her war game. In the “Jingle All the Way” while his wife was waiting home on Christmas Eve for him to come home to decorate it and his son was waiting for his presents to be placed under the tree, Arnold was too busy wheeling dealing at his office. He has a habit of telling his customers “You are my best customer”. His wife called him to find out if he was about to come home. He finished the call and ended it as usual, “You are my Best Customer.” That was the end of his “You are my best customer.” Lang has a habit of giving baloney to India “India is our Neighbor”, then to China “China is our best Friend” then to America “USA is our Guardian Angel”, Russia is our Socialist forefather, UK is our Colonialist, Japan is our creditor……… But there is a world order and countries have adjusted their position according to that status. This donkey island is playing a fool with this nation. They have balanced their power with atomic bombs and hyper sonic missiles.

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    With the bogus terminology of “Protecting our Sovereignty; true patriotism” the Modayas invited these powerful nations who balance themselves with the high-tension springs, to come into the island and play their war game. It has now put forward Langkang on unforeseeable security risks. Beyond that, every time they readjust their position in the Indian ocean, Langkang’s economy, international diplomatic relations and other global matters get squeezed. Langkang used to pretend it was a NAM country. But the Donkey Langkang leaders were running with rabbits and chasing with the wolves, in international alignment. The result is, down to Iran, Pakistan, North Korea, Cuba…. all have a say in how Langkang should be doing its things. This means all countries will enforce their authority on NPP on its policies of local economy, international relationship, border dealings, membership in international bodies…It is said that in 18 months Evil flew for 17 international get-togethers. But he could not fulfill INF’s requirements, nor could he make use of the latest Chinese loan of $1.4b towards foreign exchange reserves.
    NPP is going to have out there more than seven oceans to watch, wonder, swim, struggle, suffocate, clear and breathe and thrive.
    In Tamil they say, “She may scream, shriek, shrill, shout and cry but only the mother can bear her child.”

    Prepare yourself for the challenge!
    Go for it!
    Do in the right way!
    Take the bull on the horn!

    Best Wishes!

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