Opinion
Extricating ourselves from ‘China’s grip’ – a response
Let me thank S.A.K. for his above captioned letter, giving me the opportunity to expose some of his arguments, which show he has not read several of my letters and those by others on the subject.
He mentions an unnamed African Research Assistant. If he had read my letter titled, ‘Chinese lending vis-a-vis International lending agencies, wherein I have mentioned the name of the Senior Research Assistant as Ted Bauman at Banyan Hill, and quoted from Forbes.
SAK asks what is wrong in a Chinese state-owned company lending funds. There is nothing wrong, but the underlying intent of gaining a foothold in the affairs of a country, when the borrowing country fails to repay with interest, as seen in Kenya, which is said to run the risk of losing Mombasa Port in case of default of USD 2.2 billion for the construction of a railway track from Mombasa to Nairobi. Zambia had surrendered its national airport to China as it failed to pay back a loan.
SAK says: “The choice of capital projects, their study and formulation are always the function of the recipient country. The investor comes into the picture only after that. Unless Sri Lankans are a set of idiots who cannot decide by themselves on what to do about economic development of the country, that work will not be entrusted to a prospective investor. If so, accusing China of deliberately choosing financially non-viable projects to fund is highly untenable. If someone has to take the blame for choosing a financially non-viable project. It is the recipient country which is to take the blame.” It is here that our politicians, without consulting independent experts, get their so-called ‘consultants’ to make financial provisions. I have mentioned some such projects in my letters. Let me include the latest – The Tissa Wewa dredging project, where Chinese have been given the contract, whereas this work was legitimately done annually by the Irrigation Department. Worse, the Chinese employ their own labour, materials and machinery, thus taking away the entire loan by paying themselves, and leaving us to pay it back with interest. I agree with SAK when he says, ‘When Sri Lankans are IDIOTS.
The question is why SAK refers to an unnamed African Research Assistant, while hiding behind with initials, without revealing his own name. He mentions major projects financed by foreign governments, Mahaweli, Parliament, even BMICH from China were outright gifts not loans, and no debt traps.
If the state [SL Govt] is corrupt and there is no oversight, China walks in. Chinese projects in Rajapaksa home base – Hambantota -Airport; Port City, Nelum Kuluna in Colombo, are all vanity projects without any benefits to Sri Lanka. The only project of any use is highway construction. Highways are essential, but we have to take into account the cost factor, the quality of work and the fact that the Chinese use their materials and machinery, pay themselves with the loan and make us pay the loan with interest.
I have mentioned the practices followed by International lending organizations, such as the World Bank, the IMF, the ADB and, the JAICA, where they conduct independent feasibility studies and recommend certain measures to be adopted, to make the project viable and to ensure that the borrowing country could pay their loans back. These conditions are not acceptable to crafty politicians for obvious reasons. By funding projects which are not financially viable, China makes such countries poorer.
SAK accuses those who are opposed to questionable Chinese funding of having Sinophobia, but I would call them true sons of Lanka, patriots and not traitors. The clergy, of all religions and eminent economists have raised alarm over Chinese intervention and influence over our internal matters, nearly making Sri Lanka a colony under China.
G. A. D. SIRIMAL
Boralesgamuwa
Here is what you can do!
Comedy and the ability to have a good laugh are what keep us sane. The good news to announce is that there are many British and American comedy shows posted up and available on the internet.
They will bring a few hours of welcome relief from our present doldrums.
Firstly, and in a class of its own, are the many Benny Hill shows. Benny is a British comedian who comes from a circus family, and was brought up in an atmosphere of circus clowning. Each show is carefully polished and rehearsed to get the comedy across and understood successfully. These clips have the most beautiful stage props and settings with suitable, amusing costumes. This is really good comedy for the mature, older viewer.
Benny Hill has produced shows that are “Master-Class” in quality adult entertainment. All his shows are good.
Then comes the “Not the Nine o’clock news” with Rowan Atkinson and his comedy team producing good entertainment suitable for all.
And then comes the “Two Ronnies” – Ronnie Barker and Ronnie Corbett, with their dry sense of humour and wit. Search and you will find other uplifting shows such as Dave Allen, with his monologues and humour.
All these shows have been broadcast in Britain over the last 50 years and are well worth viewing on the Internet.
Similarly, in The USA of America. There are some really great entertainment shows. And never forget Fats Waller in the film “Stormy Weather,” where he was the pianist in the unforgettable, epic, comedy song “Ain’t Misbehavin”. And then there is “Bewitched” with young and glamorous Samantha Stevens and her mother, Endora who can perform magic. It is amazing entertainment! This show, although from the 1970s was a milestone in US light entertainment, along with many more.
And do not overlook Charlie Chaplin and Laurel and Hardy, and all the Disney films. Donald Duck gives us a great wealth of simple comedy.
The US offers you a mountain of comedy and good humour on Youtube. All these shows await you, just by accessing the Internet! The internet channel, ‘You tube’ itself, comes from America! The Americans reach out to you with good, happy things right into your own living room!
Those few people with the ability to understand English have the key to a great- great storehouse of uplifting humour and entertainment. They are rich indeed!
Priyantha Hettige
After the recent disaster, a great deal of information has been circulating on WhatsApp and YouTube regarding our reservoirs, highways, etc.
In many of these discussions, people have analysed what went wrong and how the damage could have been prevented. My question is this: why do all these knowledgeable voices emerge only after disaster strikes? One simple reason may be that our self-proclaimed, all-knowing governing messiahs refuse to listen to anyone outside their circles. It is never too late to learn, but has any government decision-maker read or listened to these suggestions?
When the whole world is offering help to overcome this tragedy, has the government even considered seeking modern forecasting equipment and the essential resources currently not available to our armed forces, police, and disaster-management centres?
B Perera
A great deal has been said about Cyclone Ditwah and its impact. To my mind one important aspect of it has not been addressed.
During the 1,400 odd landslides, it washed off a vast volume of soil which entered the various water bodies like tanks, lakes, rivers and streams etc. This process has raised their water levels reducing the water holding capacities (water holding capacity has a different meaning in soil science). What it means is that they cannot hold the same amount of water as before without spilling. Therefore, a precipitation which would not have been significant then can cause spilling of tanks leading to floods now. Hence there is a possibility of experiencing more floods in the future. Due to silting the tanks will carry less water than before, thus reducing the irrigable areas under their command. They will not be able to irrigate the same extents of paddy, thus affecting production.
How do we rectify this situation? It is desilting which can be very expensive.
It is good if these are considered in future planning.
Gamini Peiris
Panadura
Experienced agriculturist
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