9 October, 2024

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The Economy & Politics: A Reality Check

By Ameer Ali

Dr. Ameer Ali

The past resembles the future more than one drop of water resembles another” ~ Ibn Khaldun

When Covid-19 entered and paralyzed Sri Lanka in 2021, it only hastened the bankruptcy, which was bound to occur in any case even after decades of reckless mismanagement by a system built on a sectarian political paradigm. No political leader ever questioned the dangers inherent in that system, but accepted it as given and the country’s destiny, and fought their political battles on the basis of mostly complementary but at times contradictory socio-economic models. It was only in 2022 that a new generation of youth realized the pernicious effects of that paradigm staged an Aragalaya and demanded a change.  But after crushing that aragalaya and chasing out of the youth by force, and with one or two changes at the top of the political pyramid the new man chosen to be the captain of the team, Ranil Wickremesinghe (RW), once again accepted the old paradigm with its open economy model and sought assistance from that model’s global director, IMF.  He had no other alternative and none of his opponents except NPP offered any.  RW believes that once the economy is rebuilt with IMF’s advice and financial assistance the country would usher in in a new era of resplendence some time in 2048. And surprisingly, even respectable economists and political scientists seem to have accepted 2048 as the target year and offering advice how to reach it.  Disappointingly, even they are shamelessly accepting the existing paradigm.  But what is the reality?  

On the eve of the arrival of IMF inspectors to review the progress made so far as per conditions agreed upon before releasing the first tranche of the $2.9b FFE, CBSL Governor has expressed confidence that the economy is on the right track and that it is proceeding smoothly except for the failure to reach government’s revenue target. He hopes that following negotiations with foreign creditors, which are yet to begin, the burden of debt servicing would be halved from $6b a year to $3b or from 9.4% to 4.5% of GDP. Among other signs of recovery CBSL pointed out are the increase in foreign remittances and earnings from tourism. Inflation has come down to single digit although prices remain high, and in foreign trade, despite relaxation of import controls there had not been a surge in imports yet.  Based on these positive signs resulted mainly from measures taken by CBSL to stabilize the monetary sector, prospects look promising for IMF to release its second tranche. But there is also a political reason for doing so, which will be discussed later. 

However, behind these monetary achievements is the stark reality of poverty of the masses, which almost doubled from 13.1% to 25% between 2021 and 2022, and according to World Bank estimates another 5.7% of the population lives within 10% above the poverty line, which amounts to around Rs. 6,000, and another 5.6% between 10 and 20% of it. But if one moves away from the narrow monetary approach and take a broader definition of poverty in terms of capability, social exclusion and participatory approaches the reality of Sri Lanka’s poverty should sound alarming. On that basis the poverty alleviation program or aswesuma introduced by President RW at the behest of IMF, even after refining its selection criteria and delivery mechanism, would not even scratch the surface of the issue. What this means in reality is that there is one class of people, a minority, that is benefiting from the recovery program while there is another the majority, which is not. This is not surprising because IMF’s main concern is not about the majority’s welfare but sustainability of the open economy model based on the philosophy of economic neoliberalism. IMF reforms always concentrate on monetary stability and empowerment of the moneyed, and assumes that the poor would benefit from the crumbs falling from the masters’ tables. When you feed the horse with oats, commented Galbraith once, something would drop from its hind to benefit the sparrows.    

CBSL data shows that RW’s 2022-23 budget has failed to reach its revenue target, which means there is a shortfall that has to be remedied by the next budget. The inefficiency in revenue collection and political influence of the taxable class of income earners are perennial problems in the country and RW is powerless to confront them. That means the 2023-24 budget would have to include even harsher revenue raising measures, which are bound to hit further the living conditions of lower and middle-income classes. Besides, the global outlook for an economic rebound also looks gloomy in view of the escalating war in Europe, supply constraints, climatic horror and high inflation. That is not good news for Sri Lankan exports and the stability of its currency. However, and by chance, even if the global environment happens to change for the better and becomes supportive of RW’s efforts to revived the economy, domestic politics is taking a dangerous turn and could prove calamitous. 

From the point of view of IMF and its shareholders, RW is the best man for the season. He is talking the talk and walking the walk, and steering the country away from the west’s rival China towards its friend India.  Indo-Lanka connectivity has received a fresh boost after RW’s visit to Delhi and is gaining momentum by the day. Yet, he is not an elected president. Therefore, a popular mandate is an absolute necessity for him and that is why a Presidential Election is around the corner. IMF realizes this and that is why the second tranche would be released to enable him offer more benefits to the voters. The second tranche should therefore be considered as IMF’s vote buying exercise.   But what about RW’s opponents?

None of the parties in the opposition except NPP has an alternative to IMF’s economic agenda and the open economy model.  But they too want to capture power.The only issue available to all of them except NPP is to fight not over the model but over the paradigm.NPP appears wanting to change both. RW’s initiative to implement the controversial 13A has set the campaign platform. This is the political reality. The violence and unrest over Kurundoor in the north and organized protests in front of residences of Tamil politicians in Colombo are obvious sparks that would keep the riot police busy over the coming days and weeks.Is history going to repeat and prove Ibn Khaldun right? Or, is Sri Lanka’s sovereignty going to be auctioned to the highest bidder for economic survival? It is heartening to hear a patriotic Bhikkhu calling all communities to unite in a fight to liberate the nation for the second time.

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

Latest comments

  • 14
    3

    The reality is that none of the Politicians including RW or Political parties are prepared to challenge the Maha Sangha of Sri Lankan Buddhism. Unless the Maha Sangha change their attitude towards other communities it is impossible to bring political stability which is a compulsory requirement for development. IMF sponsored by the West provided the country slightly to remove the economic pressure but it also helped to revive the racism and fundamentalism. The greediness of the power of our politics and the power of the Regional and International game will decide the future.

    • 11
      0

      Dear Ajith,
      .
      I’m attaching a good deal of importance to commenting on this article. I had dreams of being the first, but you had clearly beaten me to it.
      .
      I then set about collating my comments below certain other articles, and trying to draw attention to what I was going to say. I will now email this link to AKD (official address, so he won’t be the person opening it) and to my pupil, Vijitha Herath, and Harini Amarasuriya (personal emails) and a few others who write articles here but do not usually comment.
      ,
      I don’t know much, but ask, and I will respond as best I can. However, may I request you, and all other readers to allow my main comments to be in a block, so it’ll be easy for all to understand my ramblings.
      .
      I know that the Maha Sangha as a group are a menace, but remember that they are composed of individuals, some of whom are decent – and maybe, even pious.
      .
      Panini Edirisinhe of Bandarawela

      • 6
        0

        Sinhala_Man

        I am beginning to like soma’s distant cousin Palanivel Thigarajan who is a minister in Stalin’s government:

        Please listen to him not soma:
        JSGP Commencement Lecture by TN IT and Digital Services Department Dr. Palanivel Thiaga Rajan:
        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7c2qkT_Xtow

        • 6
          0

          Dear NV,
          .
          This is 61 minutes; I’m listening. I’m at 25 minutes, and I’m liking what I hear. I’m going to stop now, and wait for a few other views. What you’re driving at seems to be very positive, but I’m no politician.
          .
          If this is sort of thing is possible, I’m all for something like what seems to be evolving.
          .
          And what do you make of this? Professor Charitha Herath, one of the few MPs whom we can respect, suggesting AKD as a common candidate. Only eleven minutes in Sinhala, so I listened to it all.
          .
          https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4kudcW899w
          .
          All transparent efforts to find solutions ought to be welcomed. If there is so much talent available, we may even have to re-consider AKD as being the automatic leader. What we don’t want are plotting, hypocrisy and backroom deals.
          .
          VishrmikaGambadaIngirisiIskoleMahattaya decides to wait for other responses. Let’s have them coming in!

        • 2
          0

          NV,
          Thanks for sharing with us a fascinating speech of Dr. Palanivel Thiaga Rajan:
          and the intelligent response wrom the student participants – about social justice, devolution and constitutional development in India in an international context..Thanks NV!
          continue your good work!

          • 5
            0

            srikrish

            I have listened to his many speeches and interviews.
            Man knows his stuff and he is forthright unlike many of his peers.
            Hence he was moved from his previous portfolio of Finance Minister of Tamilnadu to minister for T and Digital Services.

            He has very good chance of being appointed Finance Minister of Union government. (Please ignore teenage naysayer SJ who I believe wants to say something stupid ). Stalin has asked him to refrain from criticizing Delhi because he may need friends in New Delhi, I have no idea what that means.

            Please visit Palanivel Thigarajan on youtube and also encourage your mates especially those who live in their mentally fabricated own bunkers.

            • 4
              3

              “(Please ignore teenage naysayer SJ who I believe wants to say something stupid ).”
              Why would anyone bother when you are there to undertake the task?

            • 4
              1

              “He has very good chance of being appointed Finance Minister of Union government.”
              *
              This supposedly not-stupid soothsaying has interesting implications, mainly:
              the DMK will be an important partner of the Union government and
              the government, regardless of its political orientation, endorses the outlook of PT.

            • 4
              0

              NV,
              Usually I do so, but sometimes I simply miss important speeches .In such instances You make very valuable contribution in posting links, Continue your good work for our benefit!

    • 3
      0

      “it (covid) only hastened the bankruptcy, which was bound to occur in any case even after decades of reckless mismanagement by a system built on a sectarian political paradigm. No political leader ever questioned the dangers inherent in that system, but accepted it as given and the country’s destiny”
      There was a leader who did have different ideas, but never got voted into the Presidency due to the cupidity of the self-interested voters. Blame the voters. Blame the thirty years of unnecessary war. Blame the JVP too of course, for its murderous rampages in 1971 and 1988.
      “None of the parties in the opposition except NPP has an alternative to IMF’s economic agenda and the open economy model. ” Do they, really? What is it exactly?

      • 4
        1

        old codger,
        .
        Who was the leader who had “different ideas”? Name him, and I’ll start thinking about what you’re saying.
        .
        Panini Edirisinhe of Bandarawela, Lanka. part of the Indian Sub-Continent. (NIC 483111444V)

        • 3
          0

          SM,
          Who else but RW, and the late Mangala Samaraweera? RW always had the right economic ideas. He tried, sincerely or not, to end the war in 2002. He was ousted with JVP collaboration. The JVP gave full support to war-mongers.
          If Ranil had had his way, both CPC and CEB would have been cut down to size long ago. He was criticised for cutting state recruitment during Yahapalanaya, during which time he also introduced the fuel price formula, for which he was ridiculed. If he had been left alone to do all that, we wouldn’t be bankrupt today.
          You keep insanely calling for elections. All the setbacks since 2005 were the result of populist idiots winning elections. What is different with the voters now?

          • 2
            0

            “All the setbacks since 2005 were the result of populist idiots winning elections. What is different with the voters now”.
            .
            Populist idiocy became double dealing of Rajapakses and their criminals [Wimal, Johnston, Aluthgamamage, Rohitha,Sanath Nishantha or like high criminals]These men in bracelets would have been permanent prisoners where I live, long ago, if such systems were placed in our home country. In a country where selective law and order is placed 🤔 these men can still move as Weerayas to some normal citizens 🤔.
            OC,
            This I have been repeating the same, but no CT commenters reacted until u came up with the same view today. I myself don’t live in SL, whenever I travel back home 1-2 /year I become sick not being able to grasp little as to why whole lot of people act blind and deaf.Why can’t many see rationally? SM doesn’t check the facts at all but get caught by any misled info. On and on this is his demeanour.

          • 3
            1

            Dear old codger,
            .
            I agree with you about Mangala Samaraweera.
            .
            I have no quarrel with what you say about the past, even with what you say about the past of the JVP. However, some {not all that they did – e.g. the burning down tea factories cannot be excused. And they may not have been responsible for all that was blamed on them. For instance, Vijitha Herath explained to me a few weeks back that Premakeerthi de Alwis’s murder was arranged by Hudson Somebody over rivalry at some T.V. place} of the things that they did were responses to what was done to them.
            .
            I hope that the previous paragraph makes sense. Had some student written that, I would have flunked him.. That indicates how little I care about the past. My important comments on this article will be labelled PART THREE, PART FOUR, etc.
            .
            I also agree with you about the idiocy, fickleness, and irresponsible behaviour of voters. The system has its faults, but I can think of nothing better.
            .
            However, I now regard the usurping President as a knave, who must be thrown out as fast as possible, and I remain a firm supporter of the NPP and AKD.
            .
            And I want elections!

            .

            • 1
              0

              SM,
              Why don’t you ask your oracle Vijitha to explain what happened to Gladys Jayawardena, Sagarika Gomes, Thevis Guruge, and many more, including rural teachers murdered for keeping schools open? Were they all victims of internecine rivalry? Surely even you can’t be that gullible?
              BTW, did Vijitha admit to burning tea factories?
              The JVP is as responsible for our current predicament as anyone else. And it still has a two-faced policy on many fronts.

              • 2
                0

                I said only that I told Vijitha Herath something, and he gave that explanation. I’m not saying that I accept all those explanations. Vijitha doesn’t know all that at first hand.
                .
                I have said in that very comment that ‘the burning down (of) tea factories cannot be excused”. I know that lots of appalling things happened between 1988 and 1990. There were two sides involved in all that. The JVP has apologised. (Some of you deny even that.) I have given links to the apologies. “leelagemalli” has refused to even view the few minutes You may not have

                • 2
                  0

                  Sorry; may I continue?
                  .
                  “leelagemalli” has refused to even view the few minutes although you may not have been so peremptory in dismissing the evidence that I have proffered. Had he listened and then analysed the apology unfavourably we would be getting somewhere.
                  .
                  I know unacceptable things happened then. Now let us stop dwelling on the past, and have acceptable governance from Ranil. What we see now from Ranil is unacceptable. You seem to be saying that Ranil has wrought economic miracles; I don’t want to cross swords with you on that because I don’t pretend to understand Economics, but I have given serious consideration to those who point out that some imports are still possible because for almost two years we have not repaid any debts for almost two years.
                  .
                  I asked about Premakeerthi because a mutual acquaintance was fussing very emotionally about that murder. I did not ask him about tea factories, but even now I’m multi-tasking. AKD has much to say about current tea production in a speech made yesterday, the 31st.
                  .
                  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxgYS-rgA3c
                  ..
                  Ranil now depends on SLPP support. Face up to that, please.
                  .
                  I want to see elections.

                  • 0
                    0

                    SM,
                    “but I have given serious consideration to those who point out that some imports are still possible because for almost two years we have not repaid any debts for almost two years.”
                    That is the sort of simplistic propaganda that the JVP deals in. If you don’t understand Economics, why do you form opinions on it?
                    What you state is perfectly true, of course. But every import must be supported by an LC, short for Letter of Credit. That means that the foreign bank guarantees our ability to pay. Don’t you even know that all the shortages last year stemmed from foreign banks REFUSING TO RECOGNIZE OUR CREDIT? We couldn’t import anything except with up-front cash, of which we had none.
                    How did we recover? First with Indian aid, and second with IMF funds in our reserves.

                    • 0
                      0

                      The reserves (3.7 bn USD today as opposed to practically zero last year) show foreign banks that we can pay. Paying off loan instalments is delayed by mutual agreement. I can tell you that those reserves are part of the miracle RW has pulled off. But I don’t expect any credit will go to him.
                      Even a village schoolmaster should understand the above, and be able to see the difference between populist propaganda and serious economics. Why not ask Vijitha Herath how the JVP would have handled it?
                      Please do not keep parroting clichés that you don’t understand.

                    • 1
                      0

                      I do not parrot what I don’t understand, old codger. You under-estimate me.
                      .
                      I tend to have at least three chats a week with my Belgian neighbour who was a World Bank Finance Consultant. He’s been in Sri Lanka for more than twenty years, but he doesn’t want to get dragged into all this because his visa may get cancelled.
                      .
                      The last job he did for the World Bank was in Guyana, long ago. It was a harbour project for Georgetown. He had turned it down. The World Bank doesn’t ever want projects turned down because, like any Bank, much of their income is generated from the interest on loans.
                      .
                      He, himself, was very sorry because the Prime Minister of Guyana at that time was such a nice (and totally honest) man:
                      .
                      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cheddi_Jagan
                      .

                      My friend had had a meal or two in his simple home. But the project was not viable.
                      .
                      I know that you will accept what I say, but your great supporter, Dan Silva (who even less about you than I do) will find yet another way of criticizing this comment of mine.
                      .
                      Panini Edirisinhe of Bandarawela (NIC 483111444V)
                      .

              • 2
                0

                OC
                In fairness to Vijitha, he was small fry at the time.
                The only survivor of the JVP Politburo was Somawansa Amarasinghe whom I met in 1994 at a group discussion for which none else turned up. (The crafty scoundrels knew better than me I guess.) I was most unimpressed with him, but it was a real surprise when he was made leader of the JVP.
                The current leadership could make a clean breast of the JVP’s past with no risk of criminal charges against any of the current leaders.
                But they cannot let down their ‘mascot’ Wijeweera.

          • 4
            0

            old codger,
            Who brought UNP to zero?
            Would you spare MR of his crimes?
            Therefore, I differ.
            .
            The Aragalaya might be the difference.

            • 1
              0

              Nathan,
              “Who brought UNP to zero?”
              That’s complicated, and is a corollary to “Who brought Pohottuwa to 100?”
              MR is the guy who brought Pohottuwa to what it is, by first killing off one part of the population to get the others to vote for him. He ganged up with the racists, and the racist parts of the UNP (remember guys like Lokuge and Keheliya were staunch UNP members?)
              You must remember that pre-Ranil, the UNP and its voters were more racist than the SLFP. Ranil didn’t pursue either populist economics or majoritarianism. If he did, he could have kept control. But he didn’t, and you have to credit him for that.
              Our voters will never vote for someone who agrees that minorities have problems, or is seen as selling state assets, or reducing the forces.
              The problem is that the voters don’t know what’s good for the country. Blame them for reducing the UNP to zero.

              • 3
                0

                old codger,
                Racism.
                One, a crude form; the other, ‘refined’.
                One, easy to spot; the other, well disguised.
                Ranil hence is more damaging.
                People are not racists. Racism is taught.

                • 2
                  0

                  Thanks, Nathan, for another comment which means a lot to readers who are both honest and intelligent.
                  .
                  There are others (you don’t have to actually say that you agree with me – the comment will immediately attract many red thumbs). These others I shall identify for you as being the most likeable and witty old codger, and “leelagemalli”, my one-time friend, who writes at length (like me!) using crude language (unlike me!), who may not be racists in the normal sense of the word, but have to be so considered racists because of their steady support for Ranil Wickremasinghe.
                  .
                  Ranil, in turn, pretends to the international community that he is concerned about minority rights by claiming that he wants to fully implements the 13th Amendment, which gets the Buddhist clergy mad.
                  .
                  See for yourself how he appeases the monks:
                  .
                  https://www.adaderana.lk/news/93060/president-says-protecting-elephants-important-need-to-preserve-ancient-customs-too
                  .
                  That’s in English so all can easily read.

                  • 2
                    0

                    Continuing:
                    .
                    Who suffers? Many individual “tame” elephants.
                    .
                    How will our precious customs be preserved once elephants on this planet are extinct? That doesn’t matter, since by then Ranil would definitely have succumbed to his mortality. leaving behind no progeny.
                    .
                    Both LM and oc say they dislike the Buddhist clergy. However, both will find some way of approving of Ranil’s every deed.
                    .
                    And those deeds include protecting the crooked and evil Rajapakses because of whom 90% of citizens suffer, many starving to death.
                    .
                    Panini Edirisinhe of Bandarawela (NIC 483111444V)

                    • 0
                      0

                      SM
                      “How will our precious customs be preserved once elephants on this planet are extinct? “
                      Don’t you even know that these “customs” are of fairly recent origin, like the Gangarama Perahera?
                      There you go ranting again. Provide some evidence that elephants are going extinct.

                    • 1
                      0

                      Are you really telling me that you don’t believe that there is a very real threat of extinction, In the not very distant future?
                      .
                      It took millions of years for elephants to evolve. So, if they become extinct in a hundred years, that is not a long period.
                      .
                      I’m not going to waste time on such a silly question. If you want names (I know that these are not the most relevant for elephants in Ceylon, and most are dead) try to see what Richard Dawkins, George Adamson, Leela Hazzah, Margaret Murie, David Suzuki, Li Quan, Jane Goodall, Sir David Attenborough and Rohan Pethiyagoda have said about species extinction.
                      .

                    • 0
                      0

                      SM,
                      “Are you really telling me that you don’t believe that there is a very real threat of extinction, In the not very distant future?”
                      You’re the one who said so. So, go ahead and give some links to prove that elephants are about to go extinct. In Sri Lanka at least. “In the very distant future”, all of us will be extinct anyway.

                • 0
                  2

                  Nathan,
                  There is racism by default, and real racism. I will be heretical and say the Rajapaksas themselves aren’t racist. How can they be racist when they go all the way to Indian Hindu temples to worship? They have married Christians, Tamils, freely. But they look the other way when their real racist allies rampage.
                  Ranil doesn’t have real racist allies. Make what you will of that.
                  Weerasekara, Gammanpila, and many Buddhist clergy are real racists. The JVP will sit on the fence.
                  This explanation is for you, not anyone from Bandarawela. 🤣🤣

                  • 1
                    0

                    Nathan,
                    “People are not racists. Racism is taught.”
                    True. I have always said that any system change must include banning state sponsorship of dhamma and other religious schools. Let those who wish to be religious do it at their own expense. The Mahavamsa should not be used except as a basis for identifying events.There should be more emphasis on prehistory.
                    I have not seen any party proposing anything like that.

                  • 0
                    0

                    old codger,
                    Racism is disparate of Religion.
                    Money is the true religion of Rajapaksas.
                    Power is the religion of Ranil.
                    His love for his religion is his brand of racism.

                  • 1
                    0

                    Someone from Bandarawela will insist on saying that the JVP/NPP is not sitting on the fence!

              • 2
                0

                OC.
                You have left out one culprit, the UNP itself.
                The 17 year misrule was a burden on the party, regardless of who would have led it.
                Like the JVP it (and its splitters) cannot let go of its dark past.

                • 0
                  0

                  SJ,
                  If the UNP continued with its racism, it might not have been reduced to zero.

    • 7
      0

      Dear Writer, Ajith, SJ, NV, OC, HT and all other logical thinkers,
      I thank the writer for his article, and I would like to know what other major but viable options, the island nation had, if the current interim government rejected IMF membered by over 186 nations across the world. . It should literally be an economist’s POV, but not stoop to the level of mere bashers.

      Usually bashers are just superficial and emotional and don’t see the depth of the background and they don’t want to improve their knowledge. Besides, their slander will end up being similar to many accusations leveled by JVP (JVP not born yesterday but their existence is almost 60 years in this country) against other parties. Those who know it well, can see, that JVPrs cant rule this nation filled with heterogenous political idealogies.

      People with brains know that both our people (all 3 main races) and its politicians are highly corrupt regardless of higher educational qualifications. Some were revolutionary because of political greed and abusive mentality rooted in their psychology from the upbringing. The other major effect is the media mafia and the growing drug trafficking mafia. It is easy to grab vulernable mindset than that of others. Like for example, ” easter sunday disaster” could have been avoided, if then President used the brain intelligently.
      tbc

      • 7
        0

        Cont.
        2
        At the same time, then Joint-opposition became increasingly rebellious and, above all, rejected “good governance”. Who led it? It was none other than Mahinda Rajapaksa and his enability to accept defeat and his greed to stay in power. Yet today the bugger is in power, where on earth any former Presidents continued as MPs ?

        The country’s proselytizing leaders (Rev. Ranjith Malcolm) are partly responsible for the complete ignorance of the joint opposition, though today quite intelligent. Today, as the ‘joint opposition of the day’, they accepted everything they disagreed with, but supported the ‘common opposition led by Hora Rajapaksa’ under the same leader. How opportunistic and malecha must it be?
        Kidaram Mala is not acceptable under good governance but among “Rajapaksa Dictators in Parliament today” “Kidaram Mala” is the best perfume. How contradictory must it be? Which race has incredible odds? RW is constitutionally appointed only for temporary and critical situations in the country.

        Ignorance, lack of adequate political knowledge, lack of political education, love of myths, political greed, power struggles between political parties and various factors alone have not caused economic and social destruction like garbage. Coming from an uncultured family, her siblings are equally abusive and highly corrupt, making it easy to tame ignorant easy targets.

        tbc

        • 6
          0

          3. Ignorant media (Hiru TV owner and Dilith Jayaweera) has given this family full access along with ignorant but unhinged Sinhala Buddhist priests and other religious priests.

          https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Ktd5YIg6dQ

          https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SexNm636UU8

          A situation similar to falling into the mouth of a crocodile (Rajapakshe mlechcha politics) during the brutality of civil war. People in South Asia are easy to manipulate because they have learned to no longer ask cross-examinations but bow before superficial values. . Scholars and experts in rebuilding society have been put into hibernation for their fearing tactics. National security is not maintained int his country today. Women and children are permannetly under threat. .

  • 9
    1

    Mahasangha ruling through caste system. There is no equality in Sri Lankan Buddhism. Must do away with.

    • 6
      7

      Does this represent re-thinking of many rash statements by LM. He used to be my friend and collaborator, an I’m keen on grabbing the possibility.
      .

    • 1
      0

      dtg
      The caste structure has its own momentum.
      Major beneficiaries of the system were really protestant Christians.
      R Premadasa was an exception who was given a rough time with the UNP.
      The Mahasangha rules by blind faith.

  • 8
    0

    GONAPUULE Wants to chase GAJAPONNA from colombo to jaffna and in other words he is accepting that JAFFNA IS TAMILS HOME LAND.FURTHER HE SAID THAT COLOMBO BELONGS TO SINGALAYAS.How ever right now most of the recently built or what was built during the last 15-20 are mostly over 75% occupied and belongs to tamils.In the minds of RICH TAMILS FROM NORTH-EAST LIVING IN COLOMBO THEY HAVE ERASED THE MEMORY OF 1958,1977 AND 1983.Some have sold their land and houses if jaffna and have settled in new condos in colombo.some others have rented their homes in jaffna and staying in colombo homes.THE COMING COLOR IS NOT GOOD AND GUYS LIKE GONPULLE(AVATHAR OF SIRIL MATHEW) SJB AND NPP WILL WATCH THE FUN IN SILENCE IF 1983 IS REPEATED AGAIN AS IT WILL HELP THEM PUT THE BLAME ON RNIL-MAHIND AS TRY TO COME TO POWER.

    • 9
      6

      I understand your fears, dear paragon.
      .
      Isn’t it significant that this article has been written by a good, rational Muslim. Before trying to comment on what you have written, I had submitted a carefully thought-out two-part comment, to which I will add tomorrow. I need sleep now; it is past 1.30 am.
      .
      I have listened to more than 200 hours of AKD speaking. He speaks only in Sinhalese, but there is no racism at all in him. I’m sure that in a private conversation with a non-Sinhalese he would use Tamil or English.
      .
      I can only assert what I think is true; how can anyone prove that the NPP leaders are good human beings? I wish you will join the NPP, which is not JVP only. Harini Amarasuriya is not a member of the JVP. And a fine guy like Shanikayan Rasamanikkam – he’d make a good President/National Leader – with a changed Constitution.
      .
      The situation n the island is very bad indeed.

      • 8
        0

        SM,
        Has the JVP said one word about Gammanpila’s antics?

        • 7
          0

          OC,
          .
          The JVP is not saying a word as to why Lalkantha agreed to get a “pirit string” tied around his wrist last week -in front of Lalkantha, Ghansara (Dadoriya aka mad dog of lanken Sangha Samaj) behaved like no different to a kitten. Aubuddassa kale Labuth thiththalu is a common saying in srilanka.

          https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=razl3f4tSVg

          JVPs are talented at giving selective answers. Cherrypicking and serving the nation will be their doctrine. wait and see.

          For me, I don’t see anything special about JVP. Our Guru from Bandarawella may be deceived by them but not everyone is like that. Alas, may our Guruthuma be free from JVPrs !

          • 5
            0

            OC,
            .
            In that conversation with Sepal Amarasinghe, Lalkanta endorsed that he likes Gota. Can you believe that someone with special characteristics can ever say that about Rajapaksa?
            This is to balance the media because the media is not against Rajapaksa yet. Not a single editor of the Island newspaper or any other most circulating news papers has changed the color till date. The mainstream media in Sri Lanka is the true cancer of the Sri Lankan nation. They spread lies from dawn to dusk almost everyday.

            For me, all the Rajapaksas are reptiles since then. We can’t treat even a member of that family as a normal person. They did everything for power greedy tactics. How MaRa destroyed CBK since 2005 is an open secret. That Chaura Queen book was funded by Kaputa aka Basil. The man who wrote the book is now suffering physically because he is not well. None other than Victor Ivan, who did not speak a single word against Rajapaksa until 2015. After that, not so much criticism came. Unfortunately, these people are called senior journalists of our motherland.

          • 3
            3

            Why doesn’t the supposed government do something about hate speech, oc?
            .
            What does LM talk about? “Pirith nool!” I don’t attach must significance to such things. If Lalkantha wants them, discuss with him. He’s not trying to make all JVPers tie them. He’s doing it, like many other Buddhists, not as a JVPer. But how does this German national know that Gnanasara tied it? Repeating a lie a thousand times doesn’t make it the truth.
            .
            LM says that now I’m not an “Independent” critic. Yes, I became independent of him when he began supporting Ranil. My vindication for so doing came a little before 9/03/2023. It is Ranil who is now the Rajapaksas great friend and guardian. Ranil;s actions testify to that. It’s not for him to decide how much I should now criticise the Rajapaksas. When did he find me saying anything favourable about that family?

            • 2
              0

              This idiot call me a German national, how does he know I remain srilanken regardless of where I am basta. This man is turning to be an ultra idiot being unable to comprehend the facts 😤.
              .
              I don’t respect this guy anymore.

              • 3
                0

                lm
                Without an NIC number declared, he has every right to suspect your nationality.
                Got it?

                • 0
                  0

                  Thank you. I got it.
                  Nonetheless, If we had met each other, I could show my ID and all other identifiable docs, but why should I prove myself in front of a spy-style man?
                  Meanwhile, everyone including Manel, now thinks it’s a good idea not to have met in person. He is clearly a sick person, looking back. Whenever ANYONE goes after NIC numbers etc… that brings me back to 89-92 barbaric era.

            • 2
              0

              “Why doesn’t the supposed government do something about hate speech, oc?”
              That’s because it cuts both ways. Even Mahanayakas would have to be locked up, not only Gajendran and some Moulavis.
              More to the point, political parties can condemn hate speech. But even the JVP hasn’t said anything.

              • 2
                0

                Bravo OC, I could nt agree more. 👍.
                .
                We need more prisons than any other physical structures OC, we really need them.
                .
                To me, even Sinhala man is obviosly criminal because he deliberately exposes anyone’s s private details again and again,what matters him is to enjoy the moment. What an ignorant? .
                .
                Hancho pancha, Jit and my sister Manel don’t come to comment 😒 is they can’t tolerate ludicrous comments being posted by SM. .
                I really don’t know how many more days I would comment.

                • 1
                  0

                  How did Manel (Fonseka?) become your sister?
                  .
                  The way you use her name is disgraceful. She hardly ever posts anything now. I won’t quote what she’s been writing to me, but she wants to be left in peace.
                  .
                  If you use her name again, especially whilst remaining a lackey of Ranil’s, I’ll send her these quotes. Have you no conscience, using her name like this?

                  • 2
                    0

                    ” I’ll send her these quotes”
                    But then ‘she wants to be left in peace’.

              • 2
                0

                old codger

                Can you imagine this is happening in Sri Lanka?
                Singapore Presidential Election: Tharman elected President
                https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1jIs6F1eqA

                Two other candidates both ethnic Chinese together received 30%of the Votes and Dharman received 70%.

                Well I am expecting one or two people to say something stupid.

            • 2
              0

              Sinhala_Man

              Do you think racism, jealousy, hatred, ……………. stupidity, paranoia …. are impediment to progress, development, ….. peace, ….?

              Could you pass the above question to AKD, Tilvin Silva, Vijitha Herath, Sunil Handunneththi, ….. and all those old guards, …..?

              JVP has a long way to go maybe it needs another 60 years.

        • 5
          5

          Dear old codger,
          .
          Is Gamanpila so important that we need to waste time on him?

          • 9
            0

            SM,
            Yes, he is important because he’s a racist trying to start an ethnic riot. Why is the JVP mum? Did the JVP even say anything about Gnanasara?
            The truth is that the JVP knows its supporters are mainly Sinhala Buddhists. It will never say anything to upset them. They are as hypocritical as any other party.

            • 5
              0

              “Why is the JVP mum? Did the JVP even say anything about Gnanasara?”.
              .
              There are numerous other questions about which JVP pays blind eye. .
              .
              So long SINHALA BUDDHISTS remain ” human beasts ” they too could reap the harvest.
              .
              So do we need any other examples to prove 🤔 that JVPrs are playing the same trick 🤔 on stupid voters.
              .
              My new product ” thanakola smoothies” can earn millions if marketed in my motherland 🙂🙂🙂🙂

            • 5
              0

              old codger

              “Yes, he is important because he’s a racist trying to start an ethnic riot. “

              I thought it is a very bad idea on the part of racists thugs however I welcome a Mother of All Riots. As a consequence I hope all land grapping saffronistas, members of Rana Virus, corrupt politicians, …… will be thrown out the island (Stalin what are you going to do about them?), and island will be divided into many parts.

              I know Ravi Perera the Sinhala speaking Demela will be the first one to leave.

              • 6
                0

                “Ravi Perera the Sinhala speaking Demela” should be a mutant/ or rebirth of deceased EAGLE EYE.🫠🫠🫠

              • 3
                0

                NV,
                IS DESTINATION TRIVANDRUM??? Or Elsewhere???

            • 4
              1

              Dear oc,
              .
              What you say about Gamanpila’s antics is correct. I want him to fail, and I think he will.
              .
              Yes, I agree that right now most of the support that the NPP (calling them JVP is inaccurate) comes from Sinhalese speakers (who are not necessarily Buddhists). I’m doing the little that I can to correct that.
              .
              The NPP’s refusal to alienate their support base is not hypocritical, it is common sense.
              .
              AKD states very clearly (even at the risk of losing some support) that religion is a personal matter, and that it must not be allowed to intrude into politics. He also has said that he looks forward to the day when our society will accept a Tamil or a Muslim as the National Leader, citing the elections of Obama and Rishi Sunak.

              • 3
                0

                SM,
                “AKD states very clearly (even at the risk of losing some support) that religion is a personal matter, and that it must not be allowed to intrude into politics.”
                Why does AKD then have a Bhikku Front?
                How manyTamils/ Muslims or even Christians are in the JVP politburo, so that they they can be appointed PM, say?

                • 2
                  3

                  I did listen to what he said when he met the Bhikkus – a very large gathering of them. I can’t find that YouTube now; can you, please? And give it to us.
                  .
                  Is there an NPP Bhikku Front, so named? I don’t know. If there is, I’m sure there would be a Hindu Front, a Muslim Front, etc. But I thought that you are agnostic like me. You seem to be an evil man, trying to sow dissension among us.
                  .
                  I haven’t analysed the JVP politbureau in terms of religion, but it is true that the NPP must have more Tamils. I started investigating the absence of Ameer from the Perth NPP meeting the moment I heard of it. I had sent him the video of it
                  .
                  On Wednesday (30/08/2023) I have WhatsApped him at 14:05, asking him to note the cosmopolitan gathering and the use of English for the first 28 minutes. There was a fine speech by a cardiologist, Dr Kushvi Rajmani. On Friday morning, at 04.00 on 31/06/2023, I emailed thirty-two NPPers (including the leaders, some to their personal addresses), about this present article stressing the importance of languages.
                  .
                  I’m doing what I can; you are ridiculing my efforts. You are doing it with greater sophistication than crude “leelagemalli”.

                  • 2
                    0

                    OC
                    .
                    Please ask Sinhala man or snake 🐍 man to learn sinhala first and then only he can comprehend monolingul AKD or Lal kantha the murderer s better. better 😀

                  • 2
                    0

                    SM,
                    “Is there an NPP Bhikku Front, so named? I don’t know. If there is, I’m sure there would be a Hindu Front, a Muslim Front, etc.”
                    Either you are dishonest, or irresponsible. As a responsible commenter, it is your duty to check the background of those you proselytize for.
                    https://www.sundaytimes.lk/050515/news/2.html
                    It is called the National Bhikku Front, and no, there is no Muslim or Christian Front.
                    Whether I am agnostic or not is irrelevant, I am not standing for election. But the JVP is, and it is obviously biased.

          • 2
            0

            Sinhala_Man

            Ganapathipilla and Wimale have told Hindians in no uncertain terms that they should stop competing with China in Sri Lanka immediately.

            Seriously do these two idiots understand foreign relation, especially what Alfred Thayer Mahan (1840 – 1914) described it as the Great-Game?

            Okay let the teenager (SJ) question me.

  • 14
    3

    Until a politician emerges from somewhere,who will dictate terms to the yellow robed thugs on the street and mahayakes of the 4-5 chapters are told to keep their faith inside the viharas not in political arena, there is no way the country has no future. Even the so called educated politicians listen/scared of the above two groups for their political survival not the future of the country/generations. Those of us who have migrated to elswhere still think of the period before 1950’s, the past economy and life style that will never return until the aforementioned two groups and put in where they belong to.

    • 8
      6

      “Those of us who have migrated to els(e)where still think of the period before 1950’s, the past economy and life style that will never return until the aforementioned two groups and put in where they belong to.”
      *
      It is hence wise not to talk of things that one barely understands.

      • 5
        0

        “It is hence wise not to talk of things that one barely understands.”

        Excerpt:

        Keep silent when…

        you have nothing to say. Filling a pause or lengthy silence with senseless jabber is no reason to speak. Keep quiet.

        you are unsure of what to say. Take time to collect your thoughts, observe the situation, and formulate a thoughtful response. Be silent until ready, then speak.

        you are tempted to say something hurtful. If what you want to say is better left unsaid, don’t say it. Hold your tongue.

        Barbara Mayfield, MS, RDN, LD, FAND
        When is silence golden?
        Updated: Dec 3, 2022
        https://www.nutritioncommunicator.com/

        • 3
          3

          “Filling a pause or lengthy silence with senseless jabber is no reason to speak.”
          Can someone make sense of this “senseless jabber”?

  • 12
    2

    ‘It was only in 2022 that a new generation of youth realized the pernicious effects of that paradigm staged an Aragalaya and demanded a change’.
    This is a bit off the truth.
    JVP insurrection too was by ‘a new generation of youth realizing the erroneous path the leaders of the day were plodding on. Was not acceptable to the Tamils.
    LTTE uprising too was for a similar purpose. Was not acceptable to the Sinhalese.
    Both JVP and LTTE had Leaders; The Aragalaya, not so much.
    However, I’d concede that the Aragalaya was most acceptable to both section.
    .
    I’ll seize this opportunity to record my revulsion at the manner in which RW grabbed his chance to achieve his life-long ambition. Most unpatriotic.

    • 8
      3

      Dear Nathan,
      .
      It’s great to have you following the comments on this article.
      .
      There will be many more comments by me – as you have gently warned me I’m terribly long-winded. “What to do, man?” I haven’t your genius for getting your thoughts across using very few words.
      .
      However, you are one guy who knows that I’m consistent and sincere, and certainly no racist. I hope that you will vouch for that!

      • 7
        0

        Dear Sinhala_Man,
        Genius?, – I am not. Truthful, I am.
        You are consistent in many ways!
        No trace of racism, at all. Period.

        • 8
          0

          Nathan, you know I am not racist.
Let me explain something about SM.
.
Where have you been? Did I really miss something? The Sinhala man and his reactions as consistent? I’m afraid I don’t agree.
However, as a senior citizen he’s mostly acting like a teenager and not like a racist, that’s for sure. Nevertheless, he remains on the side of Anglophone Lanken. That’s why he doesn’t speak any other national languages, even though he’s lived on the island for seven decades. Unfortunately, SM’ s inability to differentiate the contents, makes him often a fool regarding monolingual AKD because he misquotes AKD and other JVPrs (this may be disadvantageous to JVP).
          If I remember correctly, SM s hobby is gossip about others, not just worshiping heroes (see his archives for a fact check). He usually forgets what he’s going to say at the end of each comment. That’s why he tells us when his bedtime starts, when he changes his diapers and all those unnecessary things, regardless of the seriousness of the topic discussed in this forum. The naïve person dreams of something that the JVP-NPP cannot fulfill in this lifetime. However alone NPP could do some good work for sure. Not to forget that the JVP isn’t good enough to work with their former frontline men, let alone to make wonders for the nation ?.

          • 7
            0

            Dear leelagemalli,
            You stand out as a non-racist. That illuminates your personality.
            I elect for myself a defensive role, to safeguard the underdog.

          • 6
            1

            leelagemalli,
            Read in its entirety.
            ‘You are consistent in many ways!’
            is NOT THE SAME as,
            You are consistent.
            (Should you be depriving me of my peace of mind?)

            • 4
              0

              Agree, greetings 🙏 from central Europe 🇪🇺
              .
              LM

          • 2
            3

            LM,
            .
            I agree that in the Sri Lankan context you are not a racist. You are not anti-Tamil, or anti-Muslim, nor even anti-Christian.
            .
            I don’t know why you want to hold on to a strange version of Buddhism. Tied up with emotional attachment to your mother, who must have been a very good woman. You hate Sinhalese Buddhist monks, almost with out exception.
            .
            In my case, I’m pretty fed up with organised religion. My background is Anglican Christianity. One group of Christians that I heartily approve of are the Quakers:
            .
            https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quakers
            .
            I don’t know the Buddha Dharma well, but I know it to be valuable.
            .
            However, you are a racist par excellence. You hate brown skins, and you love whites. You have average to good commands of a few languages, but strangely little insight into the music, philosophy and literature of Germany. Hitler did love music, but despite your brown skin would have approved of most of your attitudes.

            • 4
              0

              SM/PE/JVP Promoter of CT,
              These are all your own but incorrect assumptions.
              .
              How can you accuse me of that without knowing how I get on with brownies?
              You repeat this on CT like Alzheimer’s patients treat their relatives. Why ? If you dont know something, to attack innocient people this way is punishable act in europe, were you aware of that ?
              .
              Did I treat you that badly?

              In addition to your hand-picked term “brownies”, it is widely known in Europe as its other meaning for “pieces of sweet cake”. We enjoy it often.
              “Vivek Ramaswamy of the GOP” – do Americans attack calling him a brownie? no way.
              May I ask you to Please think twice before you jump into using some terms inappropriately.
              .
              I challenge you, this is a contradictory opinion about me. Even this evening I was on the phone with a good friend of mine (age 75, white German) who repeatedly said that he had never met humanely generous people of my nature. Also, judging someone on the surface is bloody wrong. Not knowing the bits accurately enough.

              ->2

              • 4
                0

                cont.
                .
                2
                To be honest, the Germans of this era are not racists compared to a significant portion of the Sinhalese in our country. Even nearly 30 years after the fall of the Berlin Wall, the NPD, or German nationalists, in the western provinces of United Germany would never stand a chance.

                As always, you come to quick judgments since only then you are happy, however, someone who has only been in contact with foreigners for the past 3 decades, I have a good understanding of German and European literature, culture and very many other areas.
                However, since my childhood, I prefer Eastern music and its melodies to Western music. That’s why I avoid going to opera concerts with my colleagues and friends. It’s like many people in Sri Lanka love traditional sweets (KEWUM, KOKIS and other floury sweets) but some LIKE me though born in Sri Lanka don’t. I must not follow your music taste, but mine. Whenever my italian (white italians) friends love it, I respect their cult into that. The same valid for you as well.

                Some East Germans are real racists yet today. It’s the same in the UK, in many unemployment zones like white English, some people behave like anti-immigrants and racists.
                ->3

                • 3
                  0

                  ->3
                  Obviously, you don’t have any kind of practical experience of seeing them with your own eyes, all you know is from your own reading and through journo’s POV. Not everything that is propagated through newspapers is true.

                  By education, I am a naturalist, and I always look for reasons for any phenomenon. I have had this habit since childhood. If my parents or relatives harassed their servants, maids or housemaids, I would disperse somewhere and agitate without food. It took them a few days to convince me that we should not treat them as equals. As a child I may have forgotten it during that time, however, I cannot forget my own memory. That is how our elders planted it in us at that early stage. This is about me, but I believe, more or less everyone else has to experience funny episodes in their human development. If the Buddhist monks were intelligent, they should have corrected this abusive perception of the laity. That’s where my hatred against “Sinhala Buddhist monks” started.

                  Apart from that, I questioned “why” from the beginning on. Some of my real peers treated housemaids as “sub-human”. Colombo urbanites despise their fellow Sri Lankans in UVA and other privileged provinces. Even today I am disgusted to see any race and living animal treated like that anywhere.

                  ->4

                  • 4
                    0

                    -> 4
                    I couldn’t believe my eyes when I visited them in Hantana Line House area in the late 80’s. However, nothing has changed for their betterment till date. How so ? Either plantation Dravidian politicians are to blame. Or sinhala politicians are or both equally?
                    It is clear from the belief of the United Nations that any human being taken to a place of residence and staying there for more than a few years should be entitled to the same rights as the citizens of the respective countries.

                    A relative of mine (in Sri Lanka last month) said UVA and other provinces would be considered if only housemaids were needed. Ironically, many wear the “Sinhala-Buddhist” banner on their foreheads. Although born in a SB family, I did not want to identify as such. To my surprise, I have now met true Buddhists in California and Europe. I respect them more than ever.
                    It is a big lie to say that I am disrespecting all the monks in Sri Lanka.
                    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DmxF1279RqA
                    I think the monk in this video should be intelligent. It is upto you to decide.
                    Sure, I recently stopped giving “dana” to them, but I think at least 500 out of 20,000 ( one in 40) are good monks.


                    ->5

                    • 4
                      0

                      cont.
                      .5

                      The fact is that average knowledge of SB monks is poor. It is just a myth that SB Buddhists believe that the monk is proficient in Pali and Sanskrit.. That is the biggest lie. Their behaviours are like that of trained parrots.
                      .
                      I have dealt with more than 20 nationalities (Poland, Switzerland, UK, US, South Africa, Italy, Spain, Greece, Turkey, Hungary, Malaysia, Singapore and many more) for my work almost every day. Not a single person attacks me as a racist. Even though the distance is thousands of miles, they want to know me personally. Your judgmental nature almost puts you in a mental asylum that spreads misconceptions about yourself. I don’t think you’re a bad person, but for some reason your assumptions are far from the facts. Sometimes miles away. Be it politics, Sri Lankan culture, health, religion or whatever. I think I am very close to OLD CODGER. I wonder how he could have been so “well read” if his fate had not found him outside the country.

                  • 3
                    0

                    Pardon, typo.
                    It should be other underprivileged

              • 0
                0

                We can eat brownies in Bandarawela, too!, LM But they are relatively expensive.
                .
                Since I had seen LM’s reference to brownies, I had one at Chandanie Restaurant for a hundred rupees.
                .
                However, what is new in Bandarawela is this:
                .
                https://www.newswire.lk/2023/08/23/the-5th-cargills-square-opened-in-bandarawela-building-hope-and-empowering-communities/
                .
                Not bad for us! However, I fear that it’ll be considered a monstrosity. The cinemas will fail, with tickets priced at Rs 650/= for adults, and 500/= for children. However the Food Court is welcome – if one has the money. A huge crowd on the opening day. I had a very tasty, but smallish pizza for Rs 800/= that day.
                .
                Let’s hope that the day comes soon when locals will be prosperous enough to afford such little pleasures.
                .
                Btw, I pumped petrol into the Honda bike without the QR code.

                .

      • 2
        0

        “certainly no racist”
        Probably, but I well remember a racist warning to me about my being a Tamil some years ago.
        I would have dropped it with my first lighthearted response, but you went on the attack (including the charge that I was blackmailing you).
        It is not entirely bad if one is racially prejudiced, but dishonesty is worse.
        I do not demand apology from any, as one owes it primarily to himself/herself for one’s wrongs.

    • 4
      0

      Nathan

      “Both JVP and LTTE had Leaders;”

      Actually both were psychopaths.
      Gota is another psychopath.

      “However, I’d concede that the Aragalaya was most acceptable to both section.”

      Maybe, once Gota went home Aragalaya lost its steam, purpose and the will to continue its struggle. Ranil came brought food, medicine, gas, oil, …. along with it Aragalaya evaporated.

      The fundamental problem is still needed to be dealt with.
      It is about democratising the state, and how.
      The state needed to be broken apart and rebuild.

      None of the leaders have the wisdom or honesty to lose power in order to restructure the state. Armed forces have now established themselves as entrepreneurs, planters, farmers, … with ranks in tact, Saffronistas and politicians make laws as they go along, nothing binds them, ………..

      No idea why policemen, legal functionaries, and politicians are scared of them.

      • 4
        0

        Native Vedda,
        Aragalaya lost its f(l)avour; too much cooking!

        • 2
          0

          Nathan

          “Aragalaya lost its f(l)avour; too much cooking!”

          As long as the people have problem Aragalaya may manifest in one form or another.

    • 1
      0

      “Both JVP and LTTE had Leaders; The Aragalaya, not so much.”
      Ideology is primary, personalities are secondary or lower.

      • 1
        1

        Nathan

        SJ types:
        “Ideology is primary, personalities are secondary or lower.”

        Ideology is euphemism for Maoism, Siri Maoism, Pol Potism, ….

  • 6
    3

    Dear Dr Ameer Ali,
    .
    SECTION ONE
    .
    I saw your article about nine hours ago, before even Ajith’s comment was displayed, but obviously after Ajith had submitted it. Currently I see five.
    .
    I’m now going to “expose” you for being the wonderful man that you are! You are no Marxist, but you are an economist (other readers please form your own judgement on his quality by reading his many earlier articles) who is now convinced that the NPP is the only organization that can deliver Sri Lankans of all communities from the ignorance, superstition, and self-centredness of all too many Sinhalese who live here and abroad.
    .
    However, there still are many weaknesses in their organisation that I will reveal here; and I will draw the special attention of their most important leaders to this article. I have no status in the NPP, but I’m a firm supporter.
    .
    They don’t realise that they must do much more, but there also is an appalling language problem among Lankans, that is of amazing complexity. Ponder what I will place in the seven word second paragraph of Section Two.

    • 7
      4

      SECTION TWO
      .
      Anura Kumara Dissanayake (a man for whom I have unqualified admiration), went across to Australia a few months ago, and had five meetings there. Perth was the third. A link to the three hour video will be given later. Be patient!
      ****************************************************************************
      .
      Ameer couldn’t attend because he didn’t know!
      .
      *****************************************************************************

      I’ve done all sorts of crazy things here in Lanka, and the problems have been greatly solved (all details of this saga will be revealed), but what I hope that you will ultimately realise is that human beings are terribly sensitive about language, and it is very difficult to break through those barriers.
      .
      You could help me make this complicated saga more coherent by NOT placing your comments as replies to any of mine (some saboteurs will do so deliberately – be warned!) because many comments will follow. As many as possible will be placed as “Replies” to PART ONE here. Please place yours below, at the bottom of the page (or, of course as replies to any of the earlier comments). This is our precious website. Please be serious in what you say – or witty!
      .
      Panini Edirisinhe of Bandarawela (NIC 483111444V)

      • 1
        0

        Ameer Alli,
        Your observation that all political parties other than JVP/NPP believes to work within the existing paradigm is valid.

        But beyond this observation the rest of the article is wake and only a tetrad against the existing governance.
        .These political parties work within the existing paradigm and believes in elections not for any other reason but for them to come to power.

        This includes JVP as well.

        JVP/NPP that believes in a systemic change want to contest the next Elections to come to power and then change the system and to form a government under a new paradigm.

        This is ridiculous and questionable. Once you come to power under the present corrupt discredited system, you will be a slave to the existing system and will be compelled to make only broad adjustments and generally stick to the existing system.

        The real system change is possible only through a revolutionary over through of the existing system and word outside the present paradigm, a form a new system.

      • 6
        0

        About two months ago Sinhala man’s guru AKD came to Dusseldorf, Germany and I couldn’t make it to the meeting (I think, I was in London at the time) Am I a bad guy? My God, the Sinhalese man and his thinking? Thanks for providing us jokes. Oh primitive people of our country. ! Can you please teach him kindergarten lessons? Just because his naivety is being abused by JVP, he feels that everyone should follow him. What kind of thinking?

        • 1
          2

          1 of 2
          .
          Your explanation that you were away in London would have been credible had you so responded at that time.
          .
          My memory is that AKD had three or four meetings in Germany (after others in Italy and France). There is no way that I, in Bandarawela, Sri Lanka, can know when such meetings take place. You claim to be in touch with others of Lankan origin who live in Europe. Relative to us, you are much younger (mid fifties?). How is is that you didn’t know about the meeting in your current home town? Other Lankans may not have known you as LM, but they would have known you as Dan Silva, a man who is interested in Sri Lankan affairs. Please note that there is no sarcasm in what I’ve just written.
          .
          When I identified a three minutes section in a two hour YouTube of an AKD meeting in Germany, you refused even to look at it.
          .
          I’m sorry, even the River Rhine doesn’t flow backwards.
          ,
          tbc

        • 2
          2

          I’m not questioning your desire to help people, but it is all subsumed by five factors:
          .
          1. Your nightmares about what you may really have suffered during your last years of permanent residency in Lanka (1988 to 1990?). You are unable to rise above that to now take an objective view of what then happened.
          .
          2. Your hatred of the Rajapaksas. I have no love for them, either. Let other readers go through the archives to see what LM and I were saying at various times. Not difficult, since he and I were writing all too much.
          .
          3. Your obsession with the horrible murder of this man: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jamal_Khashoggi
          .
          However, you weren’t even aware that this was his uncle: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adnan_Khashoggi
          .
          They were a family as evil as ever existed. That too, is a generalisation by me, but I can’t go beyond that as an old man sitting in Bandarawela.
          .
          4. When Jeevan Hoole openly complained about Gota’s citizenship you conveniently didn’t see the article for ten days: https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/was-the-presidential-election-free-and-fair-when-colombo-returning-officer-called-sajith-premadasa-the-son-of-a-donkey-asks-prof-hoole/
          .
          Compare all that with my concern for Ameer Ali, much older than even me, not knowing about the Perth meeting. We are looking for solutions.

          • 1
            0

            There is a saying among sinhalaya ” koheda yanne malle pol” I don’t think that u would 🤔 ever understand that. Please don’t waste our valuable time Get well soon and then we can continue to exchange with u the kindcof jokers.
            We could digest that EAGLE EYE then. For our bad luck, today, u too have turned out to be a pain to many 😢 all because of bad company , aiyooooo

          • 0
            0

            I deliberately spoke of FIVE (5) factors in the comment above, intending to give you that. LM, later. I have now forgotten it.
            .
            However, let me tell you that some of the things that you have said about me are much worse than anything ever said by me. For example, you’ve said that you’re afraid to visit me because I would, in cold blood, slit your throat while you are asleep.
            .
            When have I ever said anything as nasty about you?
            .
            Panini

    • 2
      0

      SECTION THREE
      .
      I now find that I was somewhat unfair in finding fault with organisers of the meeting. Please open the 150 minute video from Perth:
      .
      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XrFs8fDr6cw
      .
      It is Dr Dammika of Kegalle who introduces the day’s proceedings. He does so in Sinhalese. That’s quite all right.
      .

      .
      I spent two weeks in July in Maharagama. I visited the Pelawatte Headquarters of the JVP. There were two old Comrades on duty, but I had a long chat with young Jagath Basnayake of Matara who spends the weekdays in Colombo. He’s done the two-year Diploma at Katubedda. He gave me his email address, and later sent me Dr Dammika’s mobile number.
      .
      For about two years I had been exchanging brief emails with Ameer. Now I requested Ameer for his WhatsApp number and got it. So we discussed the unsatisfactory liaising, and I passed Ameer’s number to Dr Dammika via email.

      I’m tired and sleepy, but I want to submit this comment well before dawn and get some sleep. Please excuse resultant clumsy writing.

      • 2
        2

        I was really knackered last night. Fortunately, this is the only slip that I detect. I still don’t have Dr. H.P. Dhammika”s email address. It was a WhatsApp message.
        .
        I fear that we use WhatsApp far too much. The possibilities of checking something out are so much less. It is convenient for quick communication, but not for more responsible discussion.
        .
        Let me add another grumble here. I had made clear appeals to other readers to allow my comments here to stand as a separate block, clearly indicating that there were going to be many SECTIONS (I had in many places carelessly used the word PARTS).
        .
        I’m sure that srikrish did that unwittingly. I wouldn’t say that it was deliberate sabotage by you, but this is your usual practice; just spewing forth whatever comes into your head without checking.

        • 0
          1

          ” It was a WhatsApp message.”
          So there is a contact number!
          Why not tell the world?

          • 1
            0

            “I’m sure that srikrish did that unwittingly. I wouldn’t say that it was deliberate sabotage by you, but this is your usual practice; just spewing forth whatever comes into your head without checking.”
            *
            Any comments SK?

          • 0
            0

            SJ,
            Now you’ve put Dr. Dhammika in big trouble…

    • 2
      2

      SECTIONON FOUR
      .
      Dr D was back in Kegalle when I contacted him on a mobile. The first day we conversed in English, but I sensed that he was uncomfortable. Thereafter we conversed in Sinhala, There were some delays, and then Dr D. sent me a WhatsApp message in Sinhala saying that he had instructed Dr Arosha in Perth, but that Ameer’s phone had been unattended when Arosha had called. Ameer said that he would check, and had rung back. Ultimately Ameer got a WhatsApp message in Sinhalese, and had written back saying that he couldn’t read Sinhala.
      .
      That’s where we stand now. Ameer is older than me, Yesterday I WhatsApped him and told him that now it’s his turn to get proactive.

      • 1
        0

        SECTION FIVE
        .
        An Important MESSAGE

        .
        *
        Dr Ameer Ali has not yet seen the YouTube of the Perth Meeting. He’s said so in a WhatsApp message that had in at 7.19 am yesterday. I’ve just noticed it. The time is now 14.00 hours in Bandarawela.
        *
        .
        ********************************************************

        However, another article by him is now on display.

        .
        https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/muslims-13a/
        .
        *******************************************************

        .
        This is why we ought not to indulge in blame games. These are just misunderstandings that we’ve been talking about. I’ll pass his observations on to you ASAP, in a comment on the next article by him, which is, as I have said,
        .
        https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/muslims-13a/
        .
        Panini Edirisinhe (NIC 483111444V)

  • 0
    1

    “Indo-Lanka connectivity has received a fresh boost after RW’s visit to Delhi and is gaining momentum by the day.”
    It is only this author’s spurious proposition because author tend to devalue BJP as an anti-Muslim regiment or author lacks capacity to dissect Evil’s Secret Solutions’ messages. Evil could not agree on any deals with India, in his last visit. Probably, at this time, there is no ambassador to Langkang from India. Some seem to have been unable to envisage the situation that the entire activity of Indian-Ceylon relationship has come to a sudden halt after the last visit of Evil to India. We don’t know how successful the Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh’ visit will be in warming up the cold-covered relationship by a few of the past overheated dialogues. Evil is planning to go to New York and manipulate something new with American support. Rather than anything the Indian Minister’s visit to Langkang brings on the Indian- Lanka relationship, Evil’s New York visit can bring more interesting things in the days to come.

    India, which the media has been long writing about as having forged a deal on loan restructuring, now reveals that they do not have any agreement on that subject. Colombo Media is frequently goofing like that because this author likes people contributing to the media to be misguided in their guesses.

  • 0
    1

    Evil, there is a chance that he would go ahead and deny the loan $4.5B India gave during the last resort of Langkang’s long lines for basic essentials. He has already condemned India for forcing that loan on Hitler King and denying any effect in the recovery. He insists on any easiness felt now is by his sole effort. This denial of loan, Evil believes, would be a deterrent to BJP’s hope to recover the Katchatheevu. Katchatheevu’s problem is to grow bigger and bigger, even if many other tussles between Langkang and India are resolved, even if Rahul becomes the PM, but Priyanka, who would vouch for Langkang’s friendship, instead of seeking DMK’s friendship in Tamil Nadu. But these may not affect IMF MD, Kristalina Georgieva releasing any needed tranche Evil expecting from her. America has been willingly supporting Evil blindly, recently. But I do not guess any explanation the American diplomats would give for Langkang systematically allowing Chinese spy & war ships, in a long line, coming and birthing for months and doing intelligence analysis in India’s neighborhood, solely to irritate India. China just re-elected president Xi Jinping. His economic record does not match earlier ones. China has the same need of creating Langkang style internal political distraction, to keep President Xi’s dream of lifetime presidency to become true.

  • 0
    1

    The unlimited foreign reserves which induce China to go to lavish spending on BRI projects seems to be in jeopardy. China might go ahead and collect some of the money from those countries who thought those were gentlemanly gifts from China. To keep the locals on his side, Xi Jinping may have to fire his guns in a hurry, in pompous bravery, in fronts like Northern India, Southern Langkang, Taiwan, Vietnam, Philippine, The Senkaku Islands…… to keep locals staying in their homes, instead of on roads.

  • 0
    1

    One time, Eelam Tamil Media used to call Langkang as one of the World’s three largest superpowers, not because of the most modern arms it carried, but because of the way it manages the international diplomats at Colombo, with its Aappa Diplomacy. As these superpowers for the last few years encircle the Langkang on a love quadratic angle, it tactically takes, one after the other to entertain, instead of getting squeezed in among the walls at the same time. Earlier it was China who refused to consent for the loan structuring, so Langkang used IMF, India, and Japan to squeeze China. Now it is the turn of India to go in between the milling plates of Langkang. So, it is working with America and China. Contrary to the opinion of the author, the IMF had already stopped pressing for the fulfillment of its conditions on Langkang, so Evil has not surrendered anything to anybody to get a loan restricting contract. In September, after the UNHRC sitting, Evil will reveal to the Langkang mass how he has handled the cackling chickens, the three superpowers.

  • 4
    0

    Am I the only one to notice …….. Lanka is a lost cause.

    Forget Lanka and try to enjoy life: what’s left of it.

    Take the forum as a source of entertainment.

    I guess some of ye already know ………… everything we write is going to amount to zilch!

    • 2
      0

      nimal fernando

      “Take the forum as a source of entertainment.”

      We have been doing it for more than 10 years.
      What did you think?
      Tank you for your advice anyway.

      • 3
        0

        Native,

        Man, am I glad to see you! ……… Thought Gamanpillai and his saffron goons got you.

        • 2
          0

          nimal fernando

          Thanks.
          Ganapathipilla/Kanapathipilla is trying very hard to instigate violence against minority community. Even the Prince of Darkness Weerasekera and Wimale are not with him. Shenali Waduge is in hiding. Champika Ranawake is trying to convince the middle class and the moderate voters he is above this petty parochial politics, acting as Elder Statesman. Gevindu is still obsessed with his idea of 13A.

          Not many saffrons are seen with mobs anyway. It appears Asgiria and Malwattu are not encouraging another riots. On the other hand they have bestowed top accolade on Achari Allirajah Subashharan a few days ago who prostrated in front of Sanghas a few days ago. I will find the link later.

          In the meantime Achari Allirajah Subashharan from UK threw a big party to the Celluloid community and promised to finance big budget films. I believe 7 such films are on the pipeline:
          https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HFM3Db5rh7Y
          Live at 8 ප්‍රධාන ප්‍රවෘත්ති විකාශය – 2023-08-26

          Please watch from 16.20 to 22.20.

          I am awaiting to read stupid typing from the usual teenagers.

          • 2
            0

            nimal fernando

            Achari Allirajah Subashharan prostrated in front of Purwarama Rajamaha Viharaya Weherahena Matara Viharathipathi, not Asgiriya or Malwattu.
            https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oT7z8uQ0nZE&t=1s

            This clip does not include him prostrating in front of Sanghas.
            It would be a public relation disaster for him if he is seen prostrating in front of Sinhala/Buddhists.

            Sorry for the error.

            • 1
              0

              nimal fernando

              I must say I am enjoy when I read, see, hear, sense, … the stupidity of Tamil and Sinhala speaking people.

            • 1
              0

              nimal fernando

              I must say I enjoy when I read, see, hear, sense, … the stupidity of Tamil and Sinhala speaking people.

              Please read Island editorial on
              on
              Brain exodus and ‘loincloth remedies’Published 2 weeks ago on 2023/08/1
              https://island.lk/brain-exodus-and-loincloth-remedies/

              I wonder when the Island group found out the truth when it openly laments “Frustrated Sri Lankan professionals have been left with a choice between fight and flight, so to speak.”?
              According to my Elders the exodus started just before 1956 elections. (Lets hear some uninformed stupid bull s…. from our teenage Achari SJ).

          • 2
            0

            Native,

            Thanks for the link …….. he seems legit ……… https://www.forbes.com/sites/anuraghunathan/2018/12/11/this-former-immigrant-from-sri-lanka-just-made-indias-most-expensive-movie/?sh=40df81f4513a

            I don’t care what he is: all Lankan are Lankans. If they can improve the lives of ordinary Lankans, that’s what matters.

            But I’m not one for tamashas and propaganda ……. progress in nature is silent and readily seen – no propaganda …….. let’s see how things go.

            For most people, money is a measure of success ……….. dazzles even most religious leaders ……… not just in Lanka.

            A well maid movie about Mallinga’s life-story ……. might be a hit in the UK ……. he is well known there …..

  • 13
    3

    The moment Gota reduced taxes and banned fertilizer any moron knew where the country was headed accept the voter who voted for the SLPP including the expatriates. Restoring government revenue to a sustainable level has been resounding success. This writer is a convoluted liar engaged in a mudslinging exercise. He is the mouth piece of the SJB. He has turned a success into a failure. Ditto for the Aswesuma program. AP driven success story that has weeded out many undeserving political beneficiaries. This week the first 800,000 get the benefit for the first time. Of course this cannot go without another attack and discredit. The NPP has a solution? Without going to the IMF? Their messiah was in Sydney the other day. All the former Pohottu voters went to see him. He is now their new hero. The bloody idiot has no solution. He wants those expatriates who went to see him to donate $500 a month to pay off the national debt. He thinks all those who work abroad have money growing on trees. A good lesson to the traitorous doctors who fled to escape paying a 15% tax on income to now pay up to 45% tax on income in their new abodes plus AKDs donation. What a bunch of imbeciles.

    • 5
      2

      Thiha,

      The Republican frontrunner …….. the man, who once held the highest office …….. is now 4 times criminally indicted.

      Any chance of that happening in Ranil’s great success story? ……. Can you use your remarkable talents to spin a fairy tale ……. we can all enjoy?

      True or false ……. it’s the enjoyment/fun, we are here for. :))

  • 0
    1

    The Economy & Politics: A Reality Check

    Learn Tamil & China be a future Parasite ( toxic relationships )

    President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s align Sri lanka & china to merge so the bankrupt country raised or upgrade sri lanka to the standard of china & Indian take for the strategy of these country of Instead of taking the pain to develop inside sri lanka the short cut having this vision. President visit to India with an ambitious agenda for bilateral connectivity. Closer economic ties will require fostering supply chains, a comprehensive agreement and greater cooperation. India and Sri Lanka lay the groundwork for closer economic showing this strategic fortunes India’s presence in Sri Lanka and will play a dominant role in the meantime sri lanka will learn Tamil & Chines as advised by President

  • 12
    6

    The country is on a remarkable road to recovery. In the middle of ever increasing pressures from the climate change crisis. RW seems to be able to guide the nation better than any other current politician due to his knowledge and understanding of many areas of the economy. From the able stewardship of the tourism and foreign employment sectors bringing in much needed boosters to revenue, to new avenues in renewable energy, port city revamp, link up with India and the positioning of Sri Lanka as the gate way into the subcontinent the vision is remarkable. For the first time I booked a flight to London via Colombo taking advantage of the direct Sri Lankan airline flights to and from my destinations. Colombo is the the new emerging transit hub. A bonanza for our national carrier slowly emerging into profitability once more. I hear horror stories from passengers transiting thru Chinese airports with no English spoken with rudeness and indifference of staff. Not so in Colombo I am told. To sustain all of this and more we need our own Modi or Lee Kuan Yew. This is our last chance. This accursed writer and others including the majority of the commentators on this forum are doing their level best to destroy this chance.

    • 2
      3

      I hear horror stories from passengers transiting thru Chinese airports with no English spoken with rudeness and indifference of staff. Not so in Colombo I am told. To sustain all of this and more we need our own Modi or Lee Kuan Yew.
      Thiha,
      You are shouting Eureka, Eureka. But what happened? What have you seen? Out of the $85B loan, how much have you already settled? What kind of income is that you are talking about while letting the housewives to the Middle East and you fly to and fro London on an India forced aviation arrangement? Why do you whitewash the real incidents in that manner? You might not know. When JR started setting the Tamils’ home on fire (1977), It was one Tamil pilot who flew 24 hours service to evacuate Tamils refugees from Colombo to Palali. India has been begging for decades to bring back 1950’s Tamil Pilots flying Air Ceylon back in service. Evil is not working with India; he is working with China. Why are you struggling to hide that? Evil will never – ever cooperate with India on its idea. Please don’t attempt to fool readers. If he was such a master of all the “this” things, why did he resign one year ahead in 2019? What was the matter he negotiated with the enemy political party’s leader, Hitler King in Singapore?

    • 0
      2

      In 2015, 2016, & 2017 Evil played a “Athare” drama with America, sold the Hangbangtota Harbor, refused to fight the NCM on him, dismissed unconstitutional coup case in Court of Appeal in favor of those who staged the coup (Watch at what is happening in America, a Democratic country, where President Biden let alone the court to deal with its own way with the Ex President Trump), Evil resigned one year earlier in order hand over the power to Royals? Why didn’t he use it to destroy the Royals, and why did accept the EP job Rowdy Royals offered. Why didn’t he wait for Protesters to overturn the Rowdy Royals’ parliamentary control also in one or two months and then they bring an election for EP & parliament, and he came to this seat with a UNP majority. He is telling “People will decide” but hanging in there and manipulating the elections by infusing a pogrom fear mongering. Why has he not delivered a speech to the country delivering confidence to people that he will not allow another black July 83 to happen in the country? Is that because he is the most famous double actor in shows?

    • 1
      3

      “This accursed writer and others ……. on this forum are doing their level best to destroy this chance.”
      Please, then, explain to us what you are trying to do by washing Evil. Media writing that the Up-Country workers salary has fallen from Rs 750 to Rs 400 when they raised it to $1,000. What have you done for that so far? Too busy giving a hand to Evil so he can destroy the whole country in order to save Rowdy Royal?
      It sounds like there is no way now to stop India walking the forces again into Langkang. India is desperate in the disappointment it faced with Langkang. Just because you might have a centuries ago connection to India, don’t pretend that you honestly care about India’s interest.
      Think honestly and speak out only what your mind tells you. Don’t try to flourish in the path of Demulo Boutha Suren or Northern governor cooli Jeevan. By associate yourself with and Evil, don’t kill the patients in the name of practicing medicine.

    • 5
      2

      “The country is on a remarkable road to recovery.”

      Hans christian andersen?

    • 5
      2

      Thiha,

      Wake up from your dream …….. this is the reality ……… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zbl5AeoAjPc

      Sorry, it’s in Sinhala, a language you should first know before you embark on Ranil’s Hindi (Awadhi, Bagheli, Chhattisgarhi, Haryanvi, Brajbhasha, Bundeli, Kanuji, Khariboli …… ) and Chinese (Putonghua, Cantonese, Hunanese ….. )

      Why, always the EPF, ETF, eh? :)))


      It’s a weird sense of déjà vu …… had to fight the Rajapakse propaganda machine …….. now it’s Ranil’s ……..

      Ah! If all the spin becomes reality ……. I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the propaganda of the ………. name ye own ( ye are spoilt for choice ……. the pool is vast from 1948)


      Whatever the propaganda ……… the country is eternally “Kota Uda” ……… That’s the proof of the pudding ……….

    • 0
      0

      T
      “RW seems to be able to guide the nation better than any other current politician due to his knowledge and understanding of many areas of the economy.”
      Seems correct.
      But is “better than any other current politician” good enough?

  • 5
    2

    “When Covid-19 entered and paralyzed Sri Lanka in 2021,”
    COVID-19 did no such thing.
    The government and medical collaborators of the Big Pharma forced an unduly severe clampdown on the country.
    Tourism suffered and foreign remittances too but more than necessary. But the ban on fertilizer import was suicidal.
    *
    “…it only hastened the bankruptcy, which was bound to occur in any case even after decades of reckless mismanagement by a system built on a sectarian political paradigm.”
    Recklessness has degrees of it.
    Had some sanity prevailed, the financial crunch could have been deferred. But not indefinitely with the indomitable stupidity of the Viyathmaga pundits holding sway.

    • 2
      0

      “COVID-19 did no such thing. Government and medical collaborators of the Big Pharma forced an unduly severe clampdown on the country.”
      You cannot under estimate the impact of Covid-19 to the economy but it is not the only factor that caused severe economic crisis. As you say the government and its collaborators may have contributed much of the damage not only to the economy but also sovereignty of the country.

      • 2
        0

        I was responding to the author of the comment– not to yours in anticipation.
        The effect of the clampdown on the livelihood of people was far worse than that of a virus akin to the common cold virus.
        What did worse than the virus was the Pfizer vaccine about which there is media silence.

    • 1
      0

      “The government and medical collaborators of the Big Pharma forced an unduly severe clampdown on the country.”

      If the severe clampdown on the country by the West and the Asians why did China impose severe clampdown on Chinese. They too must be very stupid like Viyathmaga pundits.

      • 2
        1

        China seriously erred in its ‘Zero Tolerance policy’.
        It paid an economic price, although it did not maladminister its disease control the way the US and UK did.
        I always endorsed Sweden’s approach (implemented well for a whole year, until Big Pharma had its way through political pressure).

  • 3
    0

    “However, behind these monetary achievements is the stark reality of poverty of the masses, which almost doubled from 13.1% to 25% between 2021 and 2022, etc.”
    *
    Is this entirely the achievement of the RW government as it would seem from the utterance, or is much of it an outcome of the policies of preceding years, without denying RW and IMF their due share that really materialised mainly in 2023.

    • 2
      0

      SJ,
      The author seems better at cooking statistics than understanding them.

  • 2
    0

    Native, I rarely respond to the comments by SJ for my writings. Because he just would like to write something irrelevant to what to what I have written. I think he doesn’t know the life style we enjoyed before 1960’s since the days of independence. My point was why/what happened to that life style in SL. My point is primarily it is due to the saffron robed street thugs and the prelates of the 4-5 Buddhist chapters via brain washing of of the rural populace. I strongly believe SJ didn’t get my point, because of his superficial mind set.

    • 2
      2

      “I think he doesn’t know the life style we enjoyed before 1960’s “
      I suppose that he was born yesterday.

      • 0
        0

        “I suppose that he was born yesterday.”

        Please if couldn’t make a joke, take a leave.

        That was horribly, horribly painful insult on the yesterday born cute little sugar plums. Worse than ones’ blasphemy on their god.

        • 1
          1

          The only thing that you share with jokes is that you are one.

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