Opinion

A wake-up call for action

Published

2 years ago

2024/07/9

Sahan Weerasooriya

The SLN intercepting an Indian vessel engaged in illegal fishing in Sri Lanka’s territorial waters. (File Photo)

Poachers take an aggressive stand:

At a time when the bilateral relationship is growing on a firm foundation of friendship and cooperation, the political leadership in the two countries should not continue to allow the ‘fisheries dispute’ to fester, realising that political opponents could use such developments to destabilise the relationship. This is all the more valid apprehension when Sri Lanka expects a series of countrywide elections starting in the last quarter of the year.

Over the past several decades, many have perished due to the ongoing fisheries dispute between Tamil Nadu fishermen and their local counterparts within the Sri Lankan territorial waters. Hitherto, victims were fishermen from Tamil Nadu and the Northern Province of Sri Lanka. However, in a serious escalation on June 25, a sailor from the Special Boat Squadron (SBS) was killed due to aggressive manoeuvrings by the crew members of their trawler, northeast of Point Pedro during a special operation against illegal fishing in Sri Lankan waters.

Aggressive manoeuvrings by Indian trawlers against Navy vessels and local fishing boats have been a regular feature in the past. Such action has served the marauding Indian trawlers well. When these trawlers, in their hundreds, cross the IMBL three times a week and carry out bottom trawling in Sri Lankan waters, both of which are illegal acts, northern fishermen are forced to remain on shore for fear of being physically attacked and their boats and nets damaged by much larger and heavily crewed Indian vessels.

There is nothing much for the Indian poachers to worry about. Their larger vessels with bigger horsepower engines can out-manoeuvre Sri Lankan Navy patrol boats. If their resistance fails and the offenders get arrested, they can quickly access Indian consular services. If they plead guilty, they will be released forthwith after being fined. According to local regulations, such court cases must be concluded within 30 days. No such reciprocity is granted to Sri Lankan fishermen who get picked up by Indian naval authorities. They languish in jail for many months until the legal processes are completed.

Indian poachers are entitled to other facilities as well. One example is the instructions given to the Navy and Coast Guard personnel not to use weapons against Indian fishermen operating illegally in Sri Lankan waters. Consequently, an Indian trawler could deliberately disregard instructions to stop for inspection or resort to aggressive manoeuvrings to intimidate Sri Lankan naval boats and evade arrest. Such self-imposed restrictions by the Sri Lankan side encourage poachers to be bold, take the law into their own hands, and carry out their illegal activities without fear of arrest.

The Tamil Nadu politicians seem ready to write letters of protest to the Union Minister demanding the immediate release of those arrested. Their concerns appear to be the “loss of livelihoods” and alleged harassment of Tamil Nadu fishermen. Not a word of sympathy or concern is expressed about the economic hardships faced by the Sri Lankan Tamil fishermen, whose livelihoods are denied by hordes of Tamil Nadu vessels descending on the Sri Lankan waters three times a week. The fact their fishermen engage in destructive and illegal bottom trawling in foreign waters seems to escape their minds.

In this process, Indian acceptance of Sri Lanka’s claim over the island of Kachchativu half a century ago has been made into an issue, as if Indian transgressions occur solely around that island. In contrast, Indian fishing vessels operate near Delft Island, which is 22 k. m. east of Kachchativu Island, Kalpitiya in the Gulf of Mannar and Mullaitivu in the east. On July 1, less than one week after the killing, four fishing vessels and 25 fishermen were detained off Delft Island.

At fault, as far as the Indian politicians are concerned, are the two agreements reached in 1974 and 1976 on the international maritime border after years of complex negotiations. To claim that the Indian side erred during the drawing of the maritime border by yielding the Kachchativu island to Sri Lanka is an irony. Half a century after deciding on the international maritime border line (IMBL), Indian fishermen must accept that their fishing rights end on the Indian side of the IMBL. What if Sri Lankans were to claim the same historical rights, enter the Wadge Bank south of Kanya Kumari or the northern part of the Pedro Bank north of Jaffna, which Sri Lanka gave up with the signing of the two international agreements demarcating the maritime border, and commence trawling?

India acknowledged that the number of trawlers and other mechanised fishing vessels in the Palk Bay area is far beyond the Bay’s holding capacity. Due to that recognition, in 2017, the Union Government and the State of Tamil Nadu proposed to remove 2000 mechanised vessels from the Bay area within three years (i.e. by 2020) and direct those fishermen to undertake deep-sea fishing. However, all that the Tamil Nadu authorities could achieve up to now was to refit around 60 vessels. When that plan misfired, the Union and State authorities should have considered alternatives to reduce the fishing fleet in the Palk Bay area. Instead of undertaking that responsibility, questioning how and why Sri Lanka’s claim to Kachchativu was recognised, requesting the two fishing communities to negotiate the matter or delegating the matter to a Joint Working Group are attempts to irresponsibly kick the can down the road, which has been the case for past several decades.

Road rage resulting in police officers getting mowed down by errant drivers is common in both countries. When such criminal acts happen, culprits will be charged with murder. In this particular instance, it is hoped that the law will take its course and the offenders will be prosecuted and punished. If Sri Lanka were to release the offenders without due criminal proceedings, poachers would be invited to take the law into their own hands.

It was reported that Sri Lanka has gone through the process of making representations over the killing to the Indian side. It is well and good. But will the matter end there? The unfortunate death should be an eye-opener for New Delhi and Colombo to recognise that there is a decades-long unresolved problem that needs to be addressed now, not later. The so-called ‘dispute’ is driven by the unsatiable craving for profit of Tamil Nadu businessmen who operate trawlers in foreign waters and engage in bottom trawling, which is illegal. Perhaps a steady stepping up of detentions and confiscation of fishing vessels and gear will send an unmistakable message that they will lose valuable assets if they continue their illegal practices.

At a high political level, India and Sri Lanka have prioritised improving physical connectivity between the two countries. High-level discussions are underway to provide road, rail grid and pipeline connectivity to boost the economy.

Among the several policies launched by the Indian government is the “Neighbourhood First Policy”, which has been in practice for a decade. Two years ago, India generously provided nearly four billion US dollars to pull Sri Lanka out of the economic morass.

Pathfinder Foundation has been actively engaged in the subject since 2012, has published numerous papers, and has organised seminars, workshops, etc., in New Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, and Colombo over the years. Last month’s development is a wake-up call for India and Sri Lanka on the need for urgent measures to address the situation before things shift from bad to worse and adversely affect the plans of the two countries to work in close collaboration. To expect the problem to go away on its own, hoping the passage of time would resolve it, would be a monumental folly.

The Pathfinder Foundation published the View Point articles, which can be read online at https://pathfinderfoundation.org/ , your comments are welcome at : pm@pathfinderfoundation.org

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Opinion

Can a punishment-free child become a threat to Sri Lankan society?

Published

23 hours ago

2026/06/19

Thilina Walpola

Children are the future of every nation, and the values they learn during childhood shape the society they will eventually lead. In Sri Lanka, where family traditions, respect for elders, and social responsibility have long been important cultural values, the way children are raised remains a topic of great interest. In recent years, many parents and educators have moved away from traditional forms of punishment and embraced more child-friendly approaches to discipline. While protecting children from physical and emotional harm is essential, an important question arises: can a child who grows up without any form of punishment or consequences become a threat to Sri Lankan society?

To answer this question, it is necessary to understand the difference between punishment and discipline. Punishment is often associated with penalties imposed for wrongdoing, while discipline refers to teaching children self-control, responsibility, and respect for rules. Modern child psychology generally discourages harsh physical punishment because it can cause fear, anxiety, and resentment. However, completely removing consequences for inappropriate behavior may create a different set of problems.

Sri Lankan society has traditionally emphasized discipline within the family. Parents, grandparents, and teachers have often played active roles in guiding children’s behavior. Respect for elders, obedience, and good manners have been considered important virtues. While some traditional disciplinary methods may no longer be acceptable, the underlying principle of teaching accountability remains relevant.

A child who never faces consequences for wrongdoing may struggle to understand the boundaries that exist in society. For example, if a child is allowed to insult others, damage property, or ignore rules without correction, they may develop the belief that their actions have no consequences. Such attitudes can become problematic when the child enters school, the workplace, or the wider community.

Sri Lankan schools already face challenges related to student discipline. Teachers often report difficulties in managing classrooms where some students refuse to follow instructions or respect school regulations. When children are not taught accountability at home, educational institutions may find it harder to maintain a productive learning environment. This can affect not only the individual student but also classmates whose education is disrupted.

Another concern is the development of entitlement. A child who is never told “no” may come to believe that personal desires should always be fulfilled. In a society where cooperation and mutual respect are essential, such attitudes can lead to conflicts with peers, teachers, employers, and even family members. Sri Lanka’s social fabric depends heavily on community relationships, and individuals who fail to respect others can weaken these bonds.

The influence of social media and modern technology has added another dimension to this issue. Today’s children have access to information and entertainment on an unprecedented scale. Without proper guidance and consequences, some may misuse technology, engage in cyberbullying, spread misinformation, or develop unhealthy habits. Parents who avoid setting limits may unintentionally expose children to risks that affect both personal development and social well-being.

The workplace offers another example of why accountability is important. Sri Lanka’s economic development depends on a workforce that is disciplined, responsible, and capable of working with others. Employers value punctuality, respect, and professionalism. Individuals who grow up without learning responsibility may find it difficult to meet these expectations, affecting both their personal success and the productivity of organizations.

However, it is equally important not to interpret this argument as support for harsh punishment. Research has shown that excessive physical or emotional punishment can have serious negative effects on children. Fear-based parenting may produce obedience in the short term but can damage confidence, trust, and mental health in the long term. Therefore, the solution is not stricter punishment but more effective discipline.

Positive discipline provides a balanced alternative. It involves setting clear rules, explaining expectations, and applying fair consequences when those rules are broken. For instance, if a child neglects schoolwork, they may lose certain privileges until responsibilities are fulfilled. If they damage property, they can be required to help repair or replace it. Such consequences teach accountability while preserving the child’s dignity.

Sri Lankan parents, teachers, and community leaders all have a role to play in nurturing responsible citizens. Families should create environments where children feel loved and supported but also understand that actions have consequences. Schools should encourage character development alongside academic achievement. Religious and community organizations can reinforce values such as honesty, compassion, and respect for others.

A balanced approach is especially important in a rapidly changing society. As Sri Lanka continues to modernize and integrate with the global community, young people must learn not only their rights but also their responsibilities. Freedom without responsibility can lead to selfishness, while discipline without compassion can lead to fear. The challenge is to find the middle ground.

A punishment-free child can become a concern for Sri Lankan society if the absence of punishment also means the absence of discipline and accountability. Children who never learn consequences may struggle to respect rules, authority, and the rights of others. However, harsh punishment is not the answer. The most effective approach combines love, guidance, clear boundaries, and fair consequences. By raising children who understand both freedom and responsibility, Sri Lanka can build a future generation that strengthens society rather than threatens it.

Saumya Aloysius

(An essayist, children’s writer and freelance writer who holds a Master’s Degree in Sociology from the University of Kelaniya)

Opinion

SriLankan Airbus struck by lightning

Published

23 hours ago

2026/06/19

Thilina Walpola

A representational image

On Friday 12 June, 2026, a SriLankan Airlines Airbus 330 was en route from Colombo to Sydney, Australia was about 45 minutes into its flight when a loud bang was heard, accompanied by a blinding flash. In what was assumed to be a lightning strike, the airplane’s left (No. 1) engine was damaged, forcing the aircraft to return to BIA-Katunayake, where it landed safely.

Lightning travels from cloud to cloud or cloud to ground. Because the aircraft is not electrically ‘grounded’, or ‘earthed’, it must have been in the path of the thunder bolt purely by chance. There is also a phenomenon whereby the aircraft may travel through an electrically charged atmosphere (for example a cloud) where an electrical charge could build up and strike, or be emitted, as lightning. In such an instance, pilots hear electrical static in their headsets before the strike. Usually, when lightning strikes an aircraft in flight, the electrical charges remain on the outside, as on a ‘Faraday’s Cage’ apparatus, and the passengers and crew are perfectly safe.

To help the efficient and safe discharge of static electricity from the airplane’s structure, static wicks, or static dischargers, are fitted at the trailing (rearmost) edges of the wings and tail surfaces. When an airplane has landed after a lightning strike, ground engineers count the number of wicks that may have been burnt out to ensure that a minimum (recommended) number is available for a subsequent flight. Sometimes, there is minor damage, like pitting of the paintwork at the points where the charges left the aircraft.

The last instance in the USA of an airplane believed to have been lost due to a lightning strike was on December 8, 1963, when a Pan Am Boeing 707-121, en route from Baltimore, Maryland to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, suffered a fuel tank explosion, later determined to have been the result of a lightning strike. Since then, aircraft have been rendered immune from lightning damage thanks to extensive research conducted by manufacturers using high-voltage currents.

Interestingly, modern airliners have electronic instrument displays which don’t even flicker when the aircraft is struck by lightning. By a process of connecting all the metallic parts, known as ‘bonding’, the entire fuselage effectively becomes a protective cocoon, so electrical charges caused by lightning will always reside on the outside of the aircraft.

What is unusual in the recent SriLankan Airlines incident is the extent of damage to the left engine. Did it encounter hail or ingest something?

Only a thorough, independent inquiry by aviation safety investigators will reveal the cause.

GUWAN SEEYA

Opinion

Beyond diagnosis: A strategic design for 7% growth by 2029 (Part I)

Published

2 days ago

2026/06/18

Sahan Weerasooriya

“Vision without execution is hallucination.” – Thomas Edison

Introduction: Stabilisation Is Not Transformation

Sri Lanka has come a long way since the economic collapse of 2022. Inflation has been brought under control. Foreign reserves have improved. Debt restructuring has advanced. Government revenue has increased significantly through taxation reforms. The exchange rate has stabilised, and confidence has gradually returned to financial markets.

These achievements deserve recognition.

However, stabilisation should not be confused with economic transformation. A patient discharged from intensive care is not necessarily healthy. Likewise, an economy that has escaped collapse has not necessarily achieved sustainable prosperity.

The central economic question facing Sri Lanka today is no longer how to avoid another crisis. Rather, it is how to achieve sustained economic growth of at least 7% per annum by 2029.

Unfortunately, much of the current policy debate remains trapped in economic diagnosis. Policymakers, economists, and commentators repeatedly identify familiar problems: (i) low productivity, (ii) weak exports, i(iii) Inadequate innovation, (iv) poor competitiveness, and (v) insufficient investment. While these diagnoses are correct, they are not new.

Sri Lanka now needs economic engineering.

The country requires a clear, measurable, and actionable National Growth Strategy for 2026-2029 that identifies (i) where growth will come from,(ii) what investments are required,(iii) which institutions will lead implementation, and (iv) how success will be measured.

The difference between diagnosis and engineering is the difference between describing a problem and solving it.

The Missing National Growth Target

One of the most striking weaknesses in Sri Lanka’s economic discourse is the absence of a publicly articulated growth target supported by a detailed implementation framework.

Successful economies establish measurable objectives.

Sri Lanka should adopt the following growth trajectory:

2026 – 4%

2027 – 5%

2028 – 6%

2029 – 7%

Such targets would provide direction to investors, public institutions, universities, exporters, and development partners. Without a destination, even the best policies risk becoming disconnected initiatives.

Today, many policy interventions appear fragmented—valuable in isolation but lacking integration into a broader national growth framework.

Growth Will Not Come From Consumption

For decades Sri Lanka relied heavily on consumption, imports, remittances, tourism, and external borrowing.

That model has reached its limits.

No country has achieved sustained prosperity through consumption-led growth alone.

The countries that transformed themselves—Singapore, South Korea, Ireland, Vietnam, and China—generated growth through productive investment, exports, industrialisation, and integration into global markets.

Sri Lanka’s future growth must therefore be driven by investment and exports rather than domestic consumption.

The challenge is not increasing spending but increasing productive capacity.

Export-Led Growth: The First Pillar of Transformation

Every successful Asian growth story has one characteristic in common: exports.

Exports generate foreign exchange, create jobs, attract investment, encourage innovation, and improve productivity.

Sri Lanka should establish an ambitious target of doubling export earnings within the next decade.

This requires moving beyond traditional exports and expanding into:

High-value agriculture

Food processing

Information technology services

Logistics services

Advanced manufacturing

Professional services

Export growth must become a national mission comparable to post-war reconstruction efforts seen elsewhere in Asia.

Without a major expansion of exports, sustained 7% growth will remain elusive.

Manufacturing: The Forgotten Growth Engine

Manufacturing remains the single most important source of rapid economic transformation worldwide. Vietnam provides perhaps the best recent example.

Through (i) industrial zones, (ii) trade agreements, (iii) infrastructure development, and (iv) targeted investment attraction, Vietnam became deeply integrated into Asian production networks.

Sri Lanka possesses strategic advantages:

A prime Indian Ocean location

Strong port infrastructure

Educated labour force

Proximity to India

The country should establish specialised manufacturing clusters focusing on:

Electronics assembly

Medical devices

Processed food products

Boat building

Rubber-based products

Engineering components

Rather than attempting to compete with every country, Sri Lanka should specialise in selected niches where competitive advantages can be developed.

RCEP: The Strategic Door to Asia

Sri Lanka’s future lies increasingly in Asia.

The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) represents the largest trading bloc in the world and includes many of the fastest-growing economies.

Membership or closer integration with RCEP supply chains could provide Sri Lankan exporters with access to markets, investment, technology, and production networks that are currently beyond reach.

Unfortunately, discussion on RCEP remains limited compared with its strategic significance.

A dedicated national roadmap for RCEP engagement should become a top economic priority.

The question is not whether Sri Lanka can afford to integrate more deeply into Asia.

The question is whether Sri Lanka can afford not to.

Knowledge Economy: Turning Universities Into Growth Institutions

Sri Lanka’s universities produce thousands of graduates annually, yet their contribution to commercial innovation remains limited.

Globally, universities have become engines of economic development.

Research institutions should not merely produce graduates; they should produce patents, technologies, startups, and commercial solutions.

A national innovation framework should:

Link universities with industry

Encourage commercialisation of research

Support technology transfer

Expand startup financing

Reward innovation and entrepreneurship

Knowledge must become an economic asset rather than an academic exercise.

Dairy, Agriculture, And Import Substitution

Export growth alone is insufficient.

Sri Lanka must also reduce unnecessary import dependence.

The dairy sector offers a compelling example.

For decades, billions of rupees have left the country through dairy imports despite favourable climatic conditions and substantial agricultural potential.

A comprehensive dairy development strategy should focus on:

Improved genetics

Feed production

Commercial farming

Processing investment

Farmer productivity

The objective should be import substitution combined with rural income growth.

The same principle can be applied selectively to other sectors where domestic production is economically viable.

Creating A National Investment Targeting Agency

Sri Lanka does not need another bureaucracy.

It needs a professional institution dedicated exclusively to investment targeting.

Instead of passively waiting for investors, this agency would actively identify and attract strategic investments aligned with national priorities.

Its mandate would include:

Identifying priority sectors

Marketing opportunities globally

Coordinating approvals

Monitoring outcomes

Facilitating technology transfer

Singapore’s Economic Development Board and Ireland’s Industrial Development Agency demonstrate how targeted investment institutions can transform national economies.

Sri Lanka requires a similar mechanism adapted to local realities.

From Economic Diagnosis To Economic Engineering

The next stage of Sri Lanka’s recovery requires a fundamental shift in thinking.

The policy debate must move beyond identifying problems. The country already knows its problems.The challenge is implementation.Every policy proposal should be evaluated against a simple question:

Will this contribute to achieving 7% growth by 2029?

If the answer is no, resources should be redirected.

Economic engineering requires focus, prioritisation, accountability, and measurable outcomes. The era of fragmented initiatives must give way to a coherent national growth strategy.

Summary

Sri Lanka has achieved significant macroeconomic stabilisation, but stabilisation is only the first step toward sustainable prosperity.

To move from recovery to transformation, Sri Lanka should adopt a National Growth Strategy for 2026-2029 built around five pillars:

Export-led growth

Investment-led growth

Manufacturing expansion

Knowledge-economy development

Regional integration through RCEP and Asian supply chains

Supporting sectors such as dairy, tourism, logistics, and information technology should be strategically developed within this framework.

Most importantly, investment must be targeted rather than scattered, supported by specialised institutions and measurable performance indicators.

Conclusion

History demonstrates that no nation has become prosperous by accident. Economic success is rarely the product of isolated policies or short-term political initiatives. It is the outcome of a deliberate strategy pursued consistently over many years.

Sri Lanka stands at a crossroads.

One path leads to modest growth, periodic crises, recurring debt challenges, and continued vulnerability. The other leads to transformation through investment, exports, innovation, manufacturing, and regional integration.

The choice is ultimately strategic.

The time has come for Sri Lanka to move from economic diagnosis to economic engineering.

The future will not be determined by how successfully the country stabilised after the crisis. It will be determined by how effectively it builds the foundations for sustained growth thereafter. If Sri Lanka can articulate and execute a coherent investment-led growth strategy today, achieving 7% growth by 2029 need not be an aspiration.

It can become a national objective—and a national achievement, economic Engineering

The writer, among many, served as the Special Advisor to the Office of the President of Namibia from 2006 to 2012 and was a Senior Consultant with the UNDP for 20 years. He was a Senior Economist with the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (1972-1993). He can be reached via asoka.seneviratne@gmail.com