Thuppahi Note
Writing from Canada (where he has been resident for a while), Retd Brigadier Ranjan De Silva, an Aloysian like me and a Peradeniya graduate from my time in the late 1950s, has sent me a Note with explicit criticisms of the positions adopted in some items within Thuppahi and with (as you will find out) contentious claims about the political economy associated with the programmes of the Mahinda Rajapaksa administrations in the recent past.
I place his series of charges in the public domain. I will respond in due course because I am inundated with email demands and Thuppahi tasks at the moment. But I place his readings of the past in the public realm NOW because I am confident that some of his assessments are horrendous and will attract a host or replies which will provide pertinent information about the economic processes and political manoeuvres that are buffeting the island nation of Sri Lanka.
Moreover, I reckon that Ranjan has drunk water and whisky at some American bar and been overwhelmed by the ambience of that world….. Michael Roberts
Ranjan De Silva’s Email Letter with Explicit Criticisms of Thuppahi, 15 July 2022
Some writers to Thuppahi are very protective of Sri Lanka from being “colonized” by the US. But they are dead silent about the colonisation that has taken place already by China. Look at Hambantota Harbour. Are they the fifth column of Russia and China? China has understood fully the power of money. And is using it to the maximum to make gains over countries that refuse to give bribes.
Look at Port City, Sooriyawewa Cricket Stadium, Magampura Conference Hall, Lotus Tower et al. All causes of Sri Lanka’s. bankruptcy. And they are all unsolicited projects. Thuppahi and his merry writers are silent. No talk about them. Now China is baulking at helping Sri Lanka to restructure its debts. They are refusing to sit at the table with other creditors. No comment from Thuppahi and his merry writers.
Is China money at work?
Some time ago I wrote in support of SL going to the IMF. Thuppahi slammed me. Well only the IMF offered to help. Did China or Russia help? When ex-president requested Putin for help, he was told to contact Russia’s oil companies. We requested China to restructure the debts. China is silent. And Gota’s government told publicly China is our “best friend”. So far the only country that has helped Sri Lanka to tide over TODAY is India.
I like to ask Thuppahi whether it is China money talking?
*****************