This is to thank you for drawing attention to the dangers posed by India to our society and its culture and other basic resources as well as its on-going exertions towards encroaching on our maritime territory.

As your distinguished correspondent Neville Ladduwahetty has pointed out in an article—President Dissanayake’s forthcoming visit to India: Issues Sri Lanka should take up with New Delhi (09 Dec.)—in your columns, what the NPP government led by Anura Kumara Dissanayake should bear in mind is that India is not our friend. Indeed, as I myself pointed out in an opinion piece published by you many months ago, India’s practice of greed has alienated everyone of the countries that lie on or in proximity to its borders from Pakistan in the west to Bangladesh in the east, to Sri Lanka and the Maldives  in the south with that vast territory of distinct cultures that cover Jammu and Kashmir, Nepal and Bhutan all capped by China.

India mouths the observations made by the rest of the world on what is euphemistically called “western” “hypocrisy” (and not the pack of looters and genocidal goons they have long been). The reason for that has been quite evident but has been pronounced a few days ago in statement/s by Jaishanker (a public servant who has found politics more to his taste) on India’s “complicity” (what a seeking-to-be-neutral term) in the criminal assaults on the people of and around Palestine.

And, if one were to ask, “Who are they?” they are a widespread group of rogue states and range from the prime mover (the USA) to arms-vendors across Europe, to traders in fossil fuels and to money-makers by any other means such as Egypt’s Sisi, Pakistan’s unelected rulers in military uniform whether home-bred or governed by the “policy’ makers in Washington and right down to the wallahs of a rich mixture of rogue businessmen, politicians cum mythmakers masked in “religion” in India.

And what have we here? The same manoeuvres as elsewhere with treacherous politicians of our own in place of the Marcos line in the Philippines, the Sharifs et al in Pakistan and a whole string of the like in Africa and Latin America.

How subservient the more recent lot here are and how much the US-Indian combine can chalk up as “success” can be seen in a wealthy Indian businessman’s role in support of the American-underwritten carnival on Galle Face green to remove Gotabaya from office. An exertion capped by insinuating their long-term friend, Ranil Wickresinghe, into Parliament and the presidency with not a whisper of legitimacy. And that’s the sort-of man who spent hundreds, maybe thousands of our hard-earned ‘valuable foreign exchange’ going for funerals and other bits of show-dom. We await the present administration to make public an audit of those and other expenditures incurred by him and his cohorts, in addition of course to the ‘agreements’ he has signed with ‘his’ constituency of MPs who had long lost any form of legitimacy themselves.

And now they must be, should be, delighted to have Harini Amarasuriya. She is on record as telling us that she’s concerned for India’s fears for her security from her neighbours. I do not wish to go on and risk the blood pressure levels of your readers by spelling out the meaning of what she’s said and of her presence in Parliament, never mind the Cabinet.

That reminds us that she has been designated “Prime Minister” as following Sirimavo Bandaranaike, who earned world-wide respect for severing diplomatic relations with Saigon (Vietnam), Formosa (Taiwan) and ‘Israel’.

That was in 1970, over fifty years ago. It’s possible that Dr. Amarasuriya’s knowledge of or respect for history does not extend that far back.

Gamini Seneviratne

Frankie, to many friends and to me was a very sincere friend, knowledgeable, and very compassionate, gentleman who adorned the post of Director General of the Employers’ Federation of Ceylon. As the reading in the Holy Bible says, (MATHEW CH:7 verse 24) he built his religious values with a contrite heart along with his family “like a house built on a Rock” and stood up to all the challenges in life inculcating in his two daughters, Michelle and Sharon with those Christlike values with true faith in Jesus Christ.

I first came to know Frankie when he was in the Law College hostel along with many school friends of mine whilst he was attending Law College. I used to visit my friends, Vasu, Illeyaperuma, Niel Dias, Tudor Jayasuriya and Senarath Mendis, and several others. But I came to know him very closely when I was stationed at Alawwa Police station in 1969, when Frankie was practising as a lawyer in the District Courts. Many of his family members were lawyers including an Uncle Jerry Perera, who used to frequent the club and played cricket. As a young lawyer he stood tall in his profession as a very courteous and humble lawyer who never exploited situations.

It was when he was the deputy to S. R. De Silva, Director General of the Employers Federation, I met him again at his office at Sulaiman Terrace. I was privileged to provide security to the organisation through my company. “… I was new to the trade and managing a private company but he guided me in management skills especially in drafting Contracts with my clients and drawing up “Standard Operational Procedures.”

His leadership qualities are that he once said, “Nihal “Do not create rules that are impossible to live by; ensure that the rules you set for yourself are possible, within your control, and that following them makes you feel good.”

His achievements in the field of Employer & Employee relationship has no doubt created a standard where the Trade Unions, too, recognised his deep sense of compassion, mixed with knowledge and created a high standard of trust and confidence when there were wage increases and disagreements. It is with his experience that he groomed reliable successors, to him when he readily accepted a position with the “ILO” (International Labour Organization.) He readily imparted his knowledge and experience at many International venues and even published very valuable books which are of great acceptance at Labour Courts and labour disputes.

He fought his terminal illness very bravely and to his credit, ensured that both his daughters were on their feet since his wife’s terminal illness. The children and extended family stood by him till his last. I did visit him on a few occasions, but later he requested me not to visit him, saying, “NIHAL, I WANT YOU TO KNOW WHAT I LOOKED LIKE AND PLEASE REFRAIN FROM SEEING ME “NOW”. I did comply but continued to pray for him offering masses at All Saints Church and at The Holy Rosary Church every week and continued to speak to him until he declined.

“Gratitude and confidence are directly related. The More you are grateful for what you have, the more there is to be grateful for.”

Frankie, you will always be in my prayers, I know “NOW” you are with the LORD. Your” faith remained unwavering through all of life’s challenges and that hope was the burning light which guided all your life “

“ETERNAL LIFE GRANT UN- TO HIM OH! LORD”

NIHAL DE ALWIS

by Chula Goonasekera
Rev. Dato’ (Sir) Sumana Siri

We, the citizens of Sri Lanka, have already witnessed significant reforms in governance under AKD’s leadership. This personally led process must continue consistently, free of bias, and within the framework of the law to ensure sustainable governance by the State, not the individual. Such efforts will help minimise the waste of public funds and lay a strong foundation for the nation’s development in the long term. We often look to Lee Kuan Yew (LKY), Singapore’s founding father, as an example of transformative leadership. He united three diverse ethnic groups—Chinese, Malay, and Indian—under the principle of honesty. Today, Sri Lanka faces profound challenges from past political corruption, economic instability, and social divisions. LKY’s leadership serves as a reminder that integrity, accountability, and a commitment to the greater good can redefine a nation’s destiny, regardless of its size or resources, similar to Singapore.

When Singapore gained independence in 1965, it was a small, resource-scarce nation facing political unrest and ethnic divisions. Yet, within one generation, it became a global financial hub and a first-world country. LKY’s leadership was pivotal, centred on three core principles: meritocracy, integrity, and pragmatic governance. He prioritised national security, social cohesion, and economic growth. His efforts to foster ethnic harmony included implementing bilingual education policies and enforcing anti-discrimination laws. Similarly, AKD should consider enacting legislation to prevent racially motivated demands, i.e. anti-discrimination laws, to safeguard the government from evil, selfish minds trying to destabilise the government’s commitment to equality. Such legislation will stop this burden falling on the leadership case by case.

LKY’s policies, though sometimes harsh, were rooted in practicality and long-term thinking. The Internal Security Act ensured peace and stability during critical years. Likewise, his investments in education and infrastructure established a foundation for sustained growth. His focus on political stability, a robust legal system, and zero tolerance for corruption inspired investor confidence. Singapore’s Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) was empowered to tackle corruption at all levels. Sri Lanka must adopt a similar mindset to revitalise the Bribery and Corruption Commission, moving away from populism and short-term fixes in favour of strategic, future-oriented policies.

AKD’s primary election theme was anti-corruption, reflecting a key aspect of LKY’s leadership. His unwavering stance against corruption defined LKY’s pragmatic governance. He held public officials to the highest accountability standards, ensuring that anyone guilty of corruption faced severe consequences, including dismissal, public exposure, and prosecution. By rooting out corruption, Singapore built domestic credibility and attracted global investment. We in Sri Lanka need such legislation at the earliest opportunity to deal with various kinds of corruption that are appearing again and involving many public officials.

In Sri Lanka, corruption has long undermined public trust in institutions and stifled economic growth. With overwhelming public support, AKD is well-positioned to deliver on his promise to combat corruption. However, this needs to be done early before the government gets entangled with controversy over its own ‘tiered’ standards. Through comprehensive legislative measures, Sri Lanka can rebuild its institutions, restore public confidence, and chart a course toward sustainable development.

LKY was considered “cruel” by some because he treated all races equally without favouring any. AKD shares a similar stance. One of the hallmarks of LKY’s leadership was his unwavering commitment to meritocracy. This created a culture of excellence where the best and brightest minds were responsible for leading the country. In Singapore, recruitment and promotions across all sectors were strictly based on merit—capabilities, skill sets, and abilities—not on connections, nepotism, racial considerations, or personal favouritism. Although challenging to implement, meritocracy can be implemented with the open advertisement of qualifications needed, a transparent appointment process, strict job plans with annual reviews linked to customer feedback, and personal development strategies that are considered a necessity to continue. This approach will foster a culture of excellence and innovation, like Singapore, ensuring that the most capable individuals propel the country forward.

Sri Lanka must break free from the grip of favouritism and focus on nurturing talent through equal opportunities for all citizens, regardless of ethnicity or social background. Early signs of this approach are visible under AKD’s leadership. LKY understood that for a nation to progress, its institutions must be led by those who are truly capable, irrespective of their background. By adopting meritocracy, Sri Lanka could break the cycle of favouritism, nepotism, and ethnic division that has often hindered its development. Establishing a system where opportunities are based on ability and performance could unlock the full potential of Sri Lanka’s people, fostering a culture of innovation, growth, and national unity.

After gaining independence in 1965, during Singapore’s formative years, LKY focused on eliminating corruption, gang activities, and communist threats to create a peaceful and secure nation. The Internal Security Act (ISA) granted his administration discretionary powers to arrest and detain individuals without trial, when necessary, to prevent actions deemed harmful to Singapore’s security, public order, or essential services.

The ISA allowed preventive detention, suppression of subversion, and countering of organised violence against persons and property. Sri Lanka urgently needs a similar act to ensure that politicians and public officials comply with legally binding measures. With its Parliament still in its formative stages, we hope Sri Lanka will soon establish a comparable Internal Security Act. By eliminating corruption at all levels, as LKY did, Sri Lanka can inspire public trust and attract international investors who view stability and a corruption-free environment as prerequisites for investment. This approach could transform Sri Lanka into a manufacturing, business, and financial hub for the Indian Ocean region.

Under LKY’s leadership—often described as strict—Singapore transformed from a third-world nation into a first-world country. Sri Lanka has the potential to achieve even more, given its abundant natural resources, strategic location, and educated population that can be developed into a skilled workforce. With its prime position in the Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka could become a regional economic powerhouse—provided it fosters a stable and investor-friendly environment. Like Singapore, Sri Lanka should adhere to a non-aligned foreign policy to emerge as a crucial node in global trade and finance, maintaining friendly ties with Eastern, Western, and Asian powers while leveraging its strategic location.

While some label LKY’s methods as “cruel,” his leadership was not about oppression but discipline and fairness. Whether these policies were “cruel” or benevolent is debatable, but their results speak for themselves. He treated all races equally, fostering harmony in a diverse society by ensuring everyone felt they had a stake in Singapore’s future. Moreover, LKY’s economic policies were marked by simplicity and foresight. Low personal income taxes, the absence of capital gains and inheritance taxes, and a business-friendly environment encouraged reinvestment and entrepreneurship. By positioning Singapore as a global trade and financial hub, LKY ensured its economic resilience. Sri Lanka, too, must prioritise national unity. Divisive politics and ethnic biases must be curtailed to build a shared vision of prosperity and peace, as AKD is striving to do.

LKY’s leadership was built on three core tenets relevant to Sri Lanka today: meritocracy, integrity, and pragmatism. Encouragingly, AKD appears to be moving in a similar direction. One of LKY’s greatest strengths was his pragmatic, long-term approach to governance. He maintained tight control over domestic finances, preventing the internationalisation of the Singapore dollar and limiting the operations of foreign banks. This created an environment that attracted international firms eager to establish themselves in Singapore. Sound financial policies, a corruption-free environment, and a focus on technological advancement helped Singapore become a hub for multinational companies like General Electric. State-owned enterprises like Temasek Holdings and Singapore Airlines were run with business efficiency, often outperforming private sector competitors. Sri Lanka could adopt a similar model to enhance the performance of its state-owned enterprises and boost economic growth.

Singapore adopted a two-pronged financial strategy: becoming an international financial hub while ensuring its financial sector supported key domestic industries like manufacturing and shipping. Additionally, integrating foreign and local talent fuelled decades of sustained economic growth. LKY’s focus on economic development, making Singapore an attractive investment destination, and drawing world-class manpower offer valuable lessons for Sri Lanka.

To replicate such success, Sri Lanka must invest in state-of-the-art infrastructure, establish excellent air and sea linkages, and maintain a low and transparent tax regime.

Clean and efficient bureaucracy, a strong regulatory and legal framework, and a neutral diplomatic policy—balancing relations with global powers like the US and China—are critical. Developing clean, green cities powered by sustainable energy will also be key to achieving remarkable economic success akin to Singapore’s.