News

Unresolved national question impaired Lanka’s economic progress: Sampanthan

Published

4 years ago

2022/06/26

By Meera Sirinivasan

Addressing Sri Lanka’s Tamil national question is imperative for the island nation’s recovery from the crushing economic crisis it is facing, veteran Tamil leader R. Sampanthan said, contending that the unresolved issue had proved a major impediment for the country’s economic progress since Independence.

Speaking to The Hindu recently, the 89-year-old Parliamentarian recounted the many historic opportunities that the Sri Lankan leadership missed, allowing the ethnic conflict to fester, and push the country into a protracted civil war. While corruption, misgovernance, and skewed priorities have led to Sri Lanka’s current economic collapse, years of strife amid unfulfilled demands of the Tamil people impaired the country’s economic progress, he observed, drawing links between the island nation’s worsening economic crisis and its long-pending political question.

An economic crisis brewing over the last couple of years aggravated in 2022, with Sri Lanka’s foreign reserves dwindling amid a balance of payments crisis. The island nation has opted for a preemptive default on its nearly $ 50 billion foreign debt to cope, while citizens struggle to access essentials amid crippling shortages and record food inflation — 57.4 % in May — only expected to get worse. Protesting citizens have blamed the ruling Rajapaksa administration for failing to arrest the rapid decline of an economy that was already fragile.

Referring to a longer arc of the island’s history, Sampanthan said: “The unresolved Tamil question was the ground for the war that went on for about 30 years…colossal sums were spent on it. If not for the war, the country’s economy would not have got to this situation.” In his view, addressing the long-pending demand of Tamils for self-determination will allow Sri Lanka to project a new image internationally. “We can then show the world that we are a united country, where the Sinhalese, Tamils, Muslims – all communities can work together and build the country, through a constitution the enables all the peoples of the country to exercise their sovereignty,” Sampanthan said, adding: “I don’t see how our economy can improve without our conflict being resolved.”

The civil war itself may have ended in 2009, but the conflict that led to it remains unresolved, he pointed out. “The reason for the war to occur has not been resolved in all these years.” In fact, there are new reasons for concern. “It is a matter of utmost concern that the Sri Lankan government has been able to change the demographics of the north and east by settling Sinhalese families in areas traditionally inhabited by the Tamils. The Tamils are being weakened,” he said.

In March this year, a delegation of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) that Sampanthan leads — it is the largest parliamentary group representing Tamils of the north and east — met President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to discuss Tamils’ concerns and prospects of a political solution through a constitutional settlement. Sampanthan, in a detailed letter to the President ahead of the meeting, had emphasised the need for a political solution, tracing several past attempts and agreements that Sri Lanka’s southern leaders had committed to, but failed to implement. But the President’s meeting, twice postponed and held on March 25, focussed on four other areas that he said would be promptly addressed. He promised to look into the release of long-term detainees under Sri Lanka’s draconian Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), prevent land grabs in the north and east by different state agencies, probe cases of enforced disappearances and establish special development fund for the north and east. The TNA awaits action on all four areas. “At that time, Foreign Minister G.L. Peiris told us that the draft [constitution] would be ready in two weeks. I have serious doubts if it will ever come,” Sampanthan said.

Prior to that, the TNA submitted its proposals for a new constitution, and even met with an experts’ committee tasked with drafting a new constitution.

Commenting on President Gotabaya’s position on the issue, he said: “I don’t think the President is unwilling to do the right thing. Even if he is willing to do the right thing, it appears that others are preventing him from doing it. Sometimes I have asked myself if President Gotabaya is impeded by some sources close to him from moving forward…I have not come to a conclusion, but I wonder if the clergy and army could be involved [in that].” All the same, whether President Gotabaya and his government will come up with a new constitution “remains a matter of great doubt”, the Tamil leader said, adding: “which means that the country’s main problem that started over 70 years ago, continues.”

In this context, India has a “special duty”, Sampanthan noted. The Indo-Lanka Accord of 1987 was signed in July 1987, about 35 years ago and is “yet to be fully implemented”. The Prime Minister of India offered India’s good offices in 1983 and has been involved ever since then. In 2015, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the Sri Lankan parliament and spoke of his belief in “cooperative federalism”, Sampanthan recalled.

“We should all come together and resolve the Tamil question. It will be in the best interests of Sri Lanka and India,” Sri Lanka’s senior most politician said. (The Hindu)

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Business

“We Are Building a Stable, Transparent and Resilient Sri Lanka Ready for Sustainable Investment Partnerships” – PM

Published

3 hours ago

2026/02/15

Priyan

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya addressed members of the Chief Executives Organization (CEO) during a session held on Thursday [3 February 2026] at the Shangri-La Hotel, Colombo, as part of CEO’s Pearl of the Indian Ocean: Sri Lanka programme.

The Chief Executives Organization is a global network of business leaders representing diverse industries across more than 60 countries. The visiting delegation comprised leading entrepreneurs and executives exploring Sri Lanka’s economic prospects, investment climate, and development trajectory.

Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister emphasized that Sri Lanka’s reform agenda is anchored in structural transformation, transparency, and inclusive growth.

“We are committed not only to ensuring equitable access to education, but equitable access to quality education. Our reforms are designed to create flexible pathways for young people beyond general education and to build a skilled and adaptable workforce for the future.”

She highlighted that the Government is undertaking a fundamental pedagogical shift towards a more student-focused, less examination-driven system as part of a broader national transformation.

Reflecting on Sri Lanka’s recent political transition, the Prime Minister stated:

“The people gave us a mandate to restore accountability, strengthen democratic governance, and ensure that opportunity is not determined by patronage or privilege, but by fairness and merit. Sri Lanka is stabilizing. We have recorded positive growth, restored confidence in key sectors, and are committed to sustaining this momentum. But our objective is not short-term recovery it is long-term resilience.”

Addressing governance reforms aimed at improving the investment climate, she said:

“We are aligning our legislative and regulatory frameworks with international standards to provide predictability, investor protection, and institutional transparency. Sustainable investment requires trust, and trust requires reform.”

Turning to the recent impact of Cyclone Ditwa, which affected all 25 districts of the country, the Prime Minister underscored the urgency of climate resilience.

“Climate change is not a distant threat. It is a lived reality for our people. We are rebuilding not simply to recover, but to build resilience, strengthen disaster mitigation systems, and protect vulnerable communities.”

Inviting CEO members to consider Sri Lanka as a strategic partner in the Indo-Pacific region, she highlighted opportunities in value-added mineral exports, logistics and shipping, agro-processing, renewable energy, pharmaceuticals, and innovation-driven sectors.

“We are not looking for speculative gains. We are seeking long-term partners who share our commitment to transparency, sustainability, and inclusive development.”

She further emphasized collaboration in education, research, vocational training, and innovation as essential pillars for sustained economic growth.

Concluding her address, the Prime Minister expressed appreciation to the Chief Executives Organization for selecting Sri Lanka as part of its 2026 programme and reaffirmed the Government’s readiness to engage constructively with responsible global investors.

The event was attended by the Governor of the Western Province, Hanif Yusoof, and other distinguished guests.

[Prime Minister’s Media Division]

News

Prez AKD congratulates BNP’s Tarique Rahman on B’desh election win

Published

3 hours ago

2026/02/15

Thilina Walpola

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has extended his congratulations to the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its leader, Tarique Rahman, following their landslide victory in Bangladesh’s parliamentary elections.

“Best wishes to the people of Bangladesh for reaffirming their faith in democracy, and congratulations to Mr. Tarique Rahman on leading the BNP in these elections. The results reflect the trust placed in him. I look forward to strengthening ties between our two nations,” President Dissanayake said, in a post on ‘X’.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party won a landslide parliamentary election on Friday, securing a resounding mandate in a pivotal vote that is expected to restore political stability in the South Asian nation.

The parliamentary election held on Thursday was Bangladesh’s first vote since the 2024 Gen Z-driven uprising that toppled long-time premier Sheikh Hasina.

Opinion polls had given BNP an edge, and the party lived up to the forecasts, with the coalition it dominates winning 209 seats to secure an overwhelming two-thirds majority in the 300-member Jatiya Sangsad, or House of the Nation, Jamuna TV showed.

Soon after it won a majority in the overnight vote-count, the party thanked and congratulated the people and called for special prayers on Friday for the welfare of the country and its people.

News

Massive Sangha confab to address alleged injustices against monks

Published

3 hours ago

2026/02/15

Thilina Walpola

A major Sangha conference will be held on February 20 at 2 PM at the All Ceylon Buddhist Congress (ACBC) Headquarters in Colombo, bringing together both monastic and lay communities to discuss concerns over alleged injustices against Buddhist monks, the Buddha Sasana, and the nation.

Speaking at a press conference in Colombo on Thursday (12), Roshan Maddumage, Deputy Chairman of the ACBC, said the primary aim of the conference is to highlight misconduct and draw government attention to these matters.

ACBC Chairman Chandra Nimal Wakishta emphasized that the country’s legal system appears to operate inconsistently. He noted that while police officers involved in the assault of a Catholic priest were prosecuted and jailed, no investigation has been conducted into police officers accused of assaulting Buddhist monks in Trincomalee.

Wakishta stressed that the Sinhala Buddhist community has historically not engaged in violence or promoted hatred. He added that the Maha Sangha play a central role in guiding and protecting the country and the state, and that harassment or attacks on monks indirectly harm the nation as a whole.

He explained that the decision to convene the Sangha conference stems from the urgency of addressing these serious concerns, with the event expected to serve as a platform for dialogue between the clergy, lay followers, and government representatives.