Fair Dinkum, with the highlighting being her/his emphasis not The Editor’s
Captain Zhang Hogwang of China’s research and survey vessel, the Yuan Wang 5, waves after disembarking from the ship upon arrival at Hambantota port on August 16, 2022. Photo: VCG
The docking of the Chinese research vessel Yuan Wang 5 at Hambantota port was a momentous occasion in the history of Sri Lanka, having gained global attention like it was the first moon landing. All of this attention is due to the unnecessary meddling into Sri Lanka’s internal affairs by India and the United States.
Karan Thapar, in article headed “ “If Ranil Doesn’t Take Tough Steps, Sri Lanka Economy Could Fall into Abyss: Former Central Bank Head”
Indrajit Coomaraswamy identified four critical steps that the government must immediately start to implement as the first stage of restoring the economy to better health.
Denzel Pererain Sunday Times, where the title runs thus:“Destination Branding – Sri Lanka or Ceylon?
Sri Lanka was always known as Ceylon and the people of Sri Lanka were known as Ceylonese in the pre-independent era. Sandy beaches, wildlife, hills in the central region, archaeological sites, etc. have given Sri Lanka much more than needed to convert this paradise island into the most sought-after tourist destination. However, there seems to be a fundamental mistake that was done in changing the name of this paradise island from Ceylon to Sri Lanka. Today, our country has Ceylon Tea, Ceylon Cinnamon, Etc. which are unparallel and world-class in their quality. The term Ceylon is generally considered archaic, having been replaced by Sri Lanka, but it is still used in some contexts. At the same time, we are spending a colossal amount of money on establishing brands such as Sri Lankan Airlines, Sri Lankan Cricket, and Sri Lanka as a tourist destination.
This Video Presentation is an Eye-Opener. It was sent to me recently by Sanath Jayatilaka (who is in Sri Lanka). I do not know whose voice and politics is behind the pitch. It is presented here in Thuppahi so that more information can be elicited …. including challenges and/or confirmationsre the specific claims. Michael Roberts
Chandrasena Maliyadde, in Daily Ft, 20 July 2022, with this title “Central Bank, its independence and us”
An expert panel discussion on ‘Surviving the Current Economic Crisis: Ex-Central Bankers in Dialogue’ was held in early June. Some speakers stressed that the need of the hour is an independent Central Bank (CBSL). But its relevance or impact on surviving the current economic crisis was not spelt out. Maybe we ignorant laymen could not understand. Perhaps independence may be for the survival of the Central Bank and its officers who spend time in aiconditioned rooms away from the crisis.
Former Central Bank Governors: Nandalal Weerasinghe, Ajith Cabraal & WD Lakshman
Jeffrey D. Sachs is a world-renowned economics professor, bestselling author, innovative educator, and global leader in sustainable development…. (https://www.jeffsachs.org/).
Mr C .… an orignal piece for Thuppahi** … with highlighting being the work of The Editor, Thuppahi
I found Asoka Bandarage’s essay was okay, but it suffers from a few argumentative flaws I will discuss in this article. The writer has made many claims. Some of these I agree with. Her main argument comes towards the end of the article which may be summarized as follows: Sri Lanka must avoid being exploited by foreign powers or caught up in geopolitical adventures played out between India, China and the US – a goal which it can achieve by creating food and energy security for itself by exploiting natural resources, and she mentions an area of Sri Lanka containing oil and gas resources. We know Sri Lanka is a fertile land and can easily sustain rice and food crops, if managed properly.
Asoka Bandarage, in The Island, 16 May 2022, with this title “Sri Lanka: Debt crisis, neocolonialism and geopolitical rivalry” …. with highlighting in blue being impositions from The Editor, Thuppahi
Sri Lanka is in the throes of an unprecedented economic crisis. Faced with a shortage of foreign exchange and defaulting on its foreign debt repayment, the country is unable to pay for its food, fuel, medicine, and other basic necessities. Notwithstanding the austerities that would be entailed, a bailout by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has been accepted as the only way out of the dire economic situation.Opposition political parties, and citizens across the country, blame the Rajapaksa government’s widespread corruption and mismanagement for the crisis, and demand that the President and the Parliament resign. The Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa did so on 09 May 2022. However, the protesters at Galle Face Green, and elsewhere, have not been able to put forward an alternative leadership or a viable road map for the future.The country remains mired in confusion, chaos and a highly volatile political impasse.
Necessity is the mother of invention: Protests are mounting by people from all walks of life in all parts of Sri Lanka against the soaring cost of living, food and fuel shortages, black outs, lockdowns, forced Covid injections, and the sale of national assets by the ruling dual US citizen Rajapakse led regime in Colombo.
A reminder of the geopolitics that is infecting Sri Lanka to the detriment of its national interests. It is disappointing that the US and India are seizing on the crisis in Sri Lanka to blame China for Sri Lanka’s economic problems when everyone knows that is not the reason. There is no such thing as a China debt trap. China accounts for 10% of Sri Lanka’s debt. The remaining 90% is owed to Japan, India, the US and other Western entities,but no one talks about the debt owed to Japan, India or the US as a debt trap.
People purchase essential food items as the government imposed travel restrictions and two-week lockdown to curb the spread of Covid-19 coronavirus in Colombo on May 25, 2021. (Photo by ISHARA S. KODIKARA / AFP)
