Features

Implications of India – Sri Lanka connectivity

Published

3 years ago

2024/03/8

By Neville Ladduwahetty

During President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s India visit in July 2023, five Memorandums of Understanding (MOU) were signed by India and Sri Lanka to establish physical connections between the two countries. This was followed more recently by the launch of the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) – a mechanism that claims to reduce the cost of financial transactions between the two countries. It is now reported that India is exploring the possibility of Indian Rupee investments in Sri Lanka (Ceylon Today, February 28, 2024).

IMPACT of UNIFIED PAYMENT INITIATIVE (UPI)

It is reported that during the course of an interview with WION’s diplomatic correspondent, a State Minister is reported to have stated: “The UPI is beneficial to both countries. If you look at the events in Sri Lanka and what took place one and a half years ago, it mainly started out as a foreign exchange crisis, mainly a lack of dollars. So, we have to ensure that our dollar dependency is reduced. Now for example, our biggest tourist market is India and if we can collect the tourist remittances from India and we import about $ 5.5 billion worth of goods from India and we use those … pay in Indian rupees for the Indian imports, then we will reduce our dollar dependence. And it also becomes very flexible and very easy for the Indians to travel to Sri Lanka and then they pay in Indian rupees”. (Sunday Island, February 25, 2024).

COMMENT

Out of a total of 1.48 million tourists who arrived in 2023, the number from Indian tourists amounted to only 302844. This represents 20 % of the total. The revenue from tourism for the year 2023 was USD 2.1 billion. Therefore, on an average, earnings from Indian tourists would be 20% of USD 2.1 billion. This amounts to USD 420000. This represents only 7.6 % of the USD 5.5 billion needed for imports from India, meaning that Sri Lanka would need to acquire an additional Indian rupee equivalent of USD 5.08 billion to meet the cost of imports (ECONOMYNEXT, January 1, 2024 & January 5, 2024).

The net effect of this is that Indian rupees earned from Indian tourists would not be able to even make a dent to pay for imports even though tourist arrivals in 2023 were double the number in 2022. Under the circumstances, even if the number of Indian tourists were to significantly increase further, the benefits to India under UPI would far outweigh benefits to Sri Lanka because Sri Lanka would still have to find nearly 92% of the USD 5.5 billion needed for imports from India.

IMPACT of INDIAN RUPEE INVESTMENTS

It is reported that the Indian government is actively exploring the possibility of facilitating Indian Rupee investments for Indian Companies in Sri Lanka. The report states:

“In the fiscal year 2023, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI)granted permission for international trade for invoicing and payments to be conducted in Indian Rupees. This move allowed for exports and imports to be denominated and invoiced in Rupees, with trade transactions settled in the currency. The RBI’s decision aims to stimulate global trade growth, particularly Indian exports, while also working towards the internationalization of the Indian Rupee” (Ceylon Today, February 28, 2024).

“Last year, Sri Lanka officially recognized the Indian Rupee as a designated currency, ending trade settlements between the two countries to be conducted in Rupees” (Ibid).

“Currently, Indian Investors typically engage in investments in Sri Lanka using international currencies like the US Dollar, which involves additional complexities and conversion costs. The transition to Rupee investments is expected to streamline market entry for Indian companies, with the Ministry of External Affairs reportedly advocating for this transition” (Ibid).

The report finally states: “The push for Rupee investments aligns with India’s broader vision to elevate its currency to the status of hard currency in the future, potentially leading to inclusion in the IMF’s SDR basket and bolstering its foreign exchange reserves. This move is anticipated to benefit Indian firms with significant investments in Sri Lanka, such as the Adani Group’s development projects in the country’s port and power sector” (Ibid).

COMMENT

When Sri Lanka calls for competitive bids for Projects it is understood that bids would be based on international currencies so that all bids are evaluated on a level playing field. If Indian investors such as Adani or any other, are given a special privilege and permitted to submit proposals based on Indian Rupees which is still not recognised as an internationally recognised currency, it would amount to an act of discrimination. Furthermore, it would amount to an unsolicited offer that puts other bidders at a disadvantage.

In addition, any Dollar inflows into Sri Lanka would add to the reserves of Sri Lanka and could be used for debt payments. On the other hand, any Indian Rupee inflows, even if considered to be part of Sri Lanka’s reserves, would serve little or no purpose for international transactions.

Therefore, if Sri Lanka fails to recognize these implications and caves under Indian pressure to recognise Indian Rupees for investments in Sri Lanka for the sake of connectivity, it would be a grave injustice to the sovereign rights and independence of the People of Sri Lanka with consequences not only to Sri Lanka’s relations with other countries, but also the start of an ever widening process for India to financially colonise Sri Lanka.

PHYSICAL CONNECTIVITY

Of the five MOUs signed in July 2023 between the President of Sri Lanka and Prime Minister of India, those relating to establishing physical connectivity are:

(1) Establishing a multi-product pipeline; (2) Establishing a high capacity power grid (3); Establishing a road connection between the two countries to develop access to ports of Trincomalee and Colombo. While connectivity in respect of energy has benefits during times of relative peace, there is no denying that it exposes Sri Lanka and its People to vulnerabilities at times of geopolitical tensions.

Establishing physical connections in respect of a pipeline for petroleum products and a power grid between India and Sri Lanka could be disrupted at any time as experienced by Europe. For instance, the pipelines that had delivered natural gas and petroleum products from Russia were sabotaged through a series of clandestine bombings that resulted in subsequent underwater gas leaks on the Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2. Following the sabotage, “the European Commission has unveiled an ambitious and far-reaching plan, aptly coined “REPower EU”, to achieve full energy independence from Russia by 2027″ (euronews). Earlier, the pipeline had delivered 45% of natural gas from Russia to Europe; a dependence that the US had perceived as being hostage to Russia”.

Having learnt the cost of dependence for its energy needs, Europe is now scrambling to become independent. Sri Lanka on the other hand, is opting for the opposite for its energy needs because an underwater multi-product pipeline and a power grid connection from India to Sri Lanka would amount not only to dependence but also to vulnerabilities similar to what Europe experienced. Furthermore, it would give India opportunities to exercise control over Sri Lankan strategic interests and internal affairs in respect to India’s geostrategic interests.

Although access to ports of Trincomalee and Colombo through a land bridge connecting India and Sri Lanka is reported to have been initiated by Sri Lanka, it is pertinent to revisit its practicality in the light of India’s future development plans. Currently, the majority of exports from the West Coast of India are containerised and have ready access to Colombo by sea. In contrast, containerized exports from the East Coast are limited mainly to Chennai in the East Coast. The rest is mainly bulk cargo. Therefore, the need for access to Colombo and Trincomalee must be considered from the context presented in the ADB Report cited below.

According to an ADB South Asia Working Paper, India is seriously considering the “Development of its East Coast Economic Corridor (ECEC) and Vizag – Chennai Industrial Corridor (VCIC): Critical Issues of Connectivity and Logistics” (2017).

Its Introduction states: “ECEC is an example of an integrated economic development initiative. The key idea behind the corridor is port-based industrial development along the eastern coastal belt of India, in alignment with the goals of the Sagarmala initiative and integration of India’s industrial clusters with value chains extending to Southeast Asia and East Asia”

Paragraph 27 states: “While textiles and automobiles and automotive part require containerized solutions, these industries are clustered around Chennai, which is the only port in ECEC that handles a significant number of containers. The logical outcome of such an industrial orientation is that, with the exception of Chennai and Kattupali, the main focus of ECEC ports is break-bulk and raw materials such as petroleum, oil and lubricant, coal, iron ore, fertiliser and agricultural raw materials”.

Paragraph 29 states: “The VCIC final report predicts an expansion in industrial output of approximately 3.to 7.5times over the next 25 years under different scenarios. Such expansion will create significant additional demand for containerized cargo solutions in the corridor’s ports …” (ibid).

COMMENT

Even with projected expansion of containerised cargo from the VCIC in the East Coast of India, since sea transport by feeder ships is cheaper than road transport, the tendency would to be seek access to Hambantota as at present and to Trincomalee in the future, thus making a bridge across the Palk Strait a ridiculous symbol of connectivity other than for human traffic with all its attendant threats arising from drug trafficking and other hazards associated with human activity.

CONCLUSION

The President of Sri Lanka, political leaders and now the leaders of the JVP/NPP have, whenever the opportunity presented itself, consistently assured India that Sri Lanka would not undertake any measures that would threaten India’s security. On the other hand, the clear evidence is that Sri Lanka is prepared to go to any extent, even at the cost to its own interests, its independence and its universal right of self-determination, to fulfil this assurance. Furthermore, are the expressions of appreciation for the financial aid granted to Sri Lanka, not realising that at the end of the day, foreign relations are most often influenced by self-interest and not by sentiment.

For instance, starting with the 13th Amendment, that continues to be, a dead weight to Sri Lanka’s development and now to Financial and Physical Connectivity which are expressions of how far Sri Lanka is prepared to commit to becoming a part of India’s economically expanding bandwagon with no regard or concern for the dignity and independence of the People of Sri Lanka. The latest is the attempt by India’s Ministry of Mines to strengthen India’s critical minerals supply chain through the acquisition of mineral assets in Sri Lanka.

A report by The Indian Express cited by The Island states: “India’s interest in Sri Lanka’s graphite coincides with the Sri Lankan Government’s active pursuit of Indian companies for graphite mining in the country”. Quoting a Member of the Sri Lankan Government, the report states: “We have the best graphite in the world. Now Indian companies will be manufacturing electric vehicles. One of the large components for electric batteries is graphite. We used to have about 30,000 graphite mines. So, there are a lot of opportunities with the expertise and technology these Indian Companies have, I think they should seriously look at Sri Lanka” (March 5, 2024).

In view of the enthusiasm expressed by India to acquire mineral rights to mine graphite in Sri Lanka, it would be prudent for the Member of Parliament who is supportive of the prospect to be aware of the Supreme Court Judgment on the Eppawala Phosphate Extraction Case.

There is no denying that the warm cultural connectivity that Sri Lanka shares with India is buried in the mists of time. Although there have been threats to Sri Lanka’s interests, its independence and territorial integrity throughout its history, the cultural connectivity has persisted undisturbed. Despite this, the ongoing attempts at connectivity has to be viewed in the same vein as past threats which were to contain and colonise Sri Lanka. However, unlike in the past, today’s attempts to control and colonise Sri Lanka are based on modern techniques of Financial Control and Physical Connectivity that decidedly are to India’s advantage. It is therefore imperative that Governments of Sri Lanka exercise extreme caution in its Financial and Economic relations with India if it holds in trust the best interests of its People.

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Features

New US sanctions on ICC, a fillip to worldwide political repression

Published

4 hours ago

2026/10/15

Thilina Walpola

The International Criminal Court in session. UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s warning to the International Criminal Court (ICC) was stark: ‘Either the ICC will end its threats, or we will end the ICC.’ It followed US central administration accusations that the court was unfairly targeting Americans on the basis of trumped-up war crimes charges.

However, a new plethora of sanctions has been clamped on the ICC by the US, which in turn has spurred accusations by sections of the world that the latter has unleashed an ‘assault’ on the international legal order.

What some of the sanctions would mean for the ICC was outlined by Rubio: ‘We will ban transactions with this rogue court, cutting off their resources and crippling their ability to operate against us.’

The ICC has shown consistency of purpose over the years. Despite some operational constraints it has indicted a large number of political strongmen from around the world, accused of war crimes and other governance excesses that come under its purview. Two such recent figures are: Russian President Vladimir Putin and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Rather than enjoy a mere nominal presence in the world community, the ICC has proved its effectiveness by detaining and bringing to justice scores of VIP politicians and others of their ilk who have been found guilty of human rights abuses and kindred excesses that come within the terms of reference of the ICC.

Accordingly, the international justice system would be stymied considerably as a result of the ICC being dis-empowered, particularly financially. Needless to say, potential and real perpetrators of the species of crime coming under the jurisdiction of the ICC would stand to gain most from such anarchic tendencies. That is, political repression globally would be enabled to enjoy a new lease of life.

A detailing of the types of crime coming under the purview of the ICC provides an idea of what it would cost the international community if the ICC’s operations are gravely hampered. They are mainly: genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and the crime of aggression.

That is, the part of the world to be worst affected would be the global South, since the latter is awash with the mentioned crimes. Needless to say, a chronically-disaffected South will sooner rather than later undermine the well being of the world dangerously. The world is already being put through these paces.

At the time of writing, ‘illegal migrants’ from the South, for example, are aggravating many a Western economy’s woes, besides creating for them acute law and order issues. The fact that these migrants’ presence goes on to become a virtual test of the migrant receiving states’ ability to forge domestic social inclusion in the face of jingoistic protests by mainly white supremacist groups is evidence of the latter. As is known, the US, to take just one example, has been up against this crisis for quite a while.

Accordingly, it will be in the best interests of the West if ‘illegal’ migrant arrivals on their shores are stemmed. If the socio-political and economic problems assailing the South are effectively managed through North-South collaborative, ‘trouble-shooting’ efforts the causes leading to ‘illegal’ migration and connected issues could be resolved at source as it were. For, it is the aggravation of the South’s material questions that lays the basis for the emergence of repressive and anti-democratic regimes in the hemisphere.

Until such time that the aforementioned issues in North-South relations are visited afresh and addressed urgently, a vibrantly functioning ICC would be needed. For, the latter would prove a deterrent to Southern political and military strongmen, highly prone to power abuse and like excesses, from coming into being in the wake of the South’s chronic material woes and the wars and conflicts that result from them.

It stands to reason then that the US would be acting in its own interests by enabling the ICC to perpetuate its mandate without hindrance. For a crop of issues that impinges negatively on internal law and order would be defused.

Meanwhile, there needs to be a meeting of minds among the rest of the West to put back in place a North-South dialogue process aimed at reducing some of the economic pressures that are weighing on the South.

Since economics usually drives politics it will be in the interests of the world community to scrutinizingly re-visit North-South issues of the past and put in place economic relief packages for Southern publics that would enable them to tide over their material hardships rather than permit the latter to aggravate into social disaffection and eventually armed militancy. It is the latter juncture that paves the way for the emergence of authoritarian rulers in the South who then go on to be a blight on their publics.

Accordingly, the Southern-based global development thinking of the past that envisaged a more equitable world economic order needs to be seen as an urgent need. That is, NAM’s international development paradigms need to be resuscitated to the extent possible.

It is unlikely that rightist governments of the West, such as the current Republican administration in the US, would find these projects feasible, but democratic states of Europe, led by perhaps the UK, are likely to think otherwise. For it would not be beneficial for the democratic world to be having on their hands repressive governments in the South who would be gravitating towards the major military and economic actors of the South, such as Iran and North Korea, who tend to be in constant power struggles with the West.

However, until such time that the mentioned, pro-people initiatives are given serious thought the ICC would need to be enabled by the international community to be in place comfortably and carry on with its mandate of bringing repressive rulers to book. Besides the ICC should pave the way for the peoples of the developing world to enjoy some substantial respite from the political repression and even terror which tend to be their lot.

Meanwhile, the wars of West Asia are relentlessly aggravating the economic hardships of people everywhere, driving the point home to enlightened sections that there is no alternative to peacemaking. A challenge is to convert the US under President Trump to this line of thinking.

Features

Clear, soft and shine-free skin

Published

5 hours ago

2026/10/15

Thilina Walpola

This week, I give you five simple, time-tested homemade remedies that help reduce the appearance of blemishes, control excess shine and leave your skin feeling softer and smoother.

The Honey and Lemon Brightening Dab:

For stubborn blemish marks, this is a classic. Mix one teaspoon of pure bee honey with three to four drops of fresh lemon juice. Apply gently, only on the affected spots, and leave for 10 minutes before rinsing with lukewarm water. While honey soothes and softens, lemon helps to brighten naturally. Use twice a week in the evening.

Besan and Rose Water Oil-Control Pack:

An ideal remedy to combat shine, especially on the T-zone. Take two teaspoons of besan (gram flour) and mix with sufficient rose water to form a smooth paste. Add a pinch of turmeric for its antiseptic goodness. Apply evenly, keep for 15 minutes and wash off. It absorbs excess oil without over-drying, leaving a beautiful matte finish.

Aloe Vera and Cucumber Ice Soother:

Blend fresh aloe vera gel with the juice of a grated cucumber and freeze the mixture in an ice tray. Each morning, wrap one cube in a soft muslin cloth and gently rub over a cleansed face for 30 seconds. It calms, tightens pores and imparts a baby-soft smoothness.

Oatmeal and Curd Gentle Polish:

Roughness and old blemish marks need gentle exfoliation. Combine one tablespoon of finely powdered oatmeal with one tablespoon of fresh curd (yoghurt). Massage very gently, in circular motions, for one minute, leave for five minutes and rinse. It removes dead cells and unveils softer, clearer skin.

Multani Mitti and Green Tea Magic Mask:

Brew some green tea and allow it to cool completely. Mix one and a half teaspoons of Multani Mitti (Fuller’s Earth) with the tea water to make a fine paste. Apply for 10 to 12 minutes – do not let it dry and crack completely – and wash off. It draws out impurities, fades blemishes and bestows a fresh, shine-free glow.

A Gentle Reminder:

As with any natural remedy, always do a patch test on your inner arm first. For those with oily or combination skin, avoid heavy coconut oil application and harsh scrubbing, as they tend to aggravate shine and blemishes.

Features

Compete, shine and be discovered at WCOPA 2027

Published

5 hours ago

2026/10/15

Thilina Walpola

Dream of performing on a world stage? Well, here is your unique, golden opportunity!

The World Championships of Performing Arts (WCOPA) — the one and only official “Talent Olympics” — is the world’s premier global platform for aspiring singers, dancers, actors, models, instrumentalists, etc., to compete, shine and be discovered!

And, yes, this world stage is open to YOU, Sri Lankans living in Sri Lanka and overseas!

Held annually in glittering Las Vegas, WCOPA brings together over 70 countries, all competing for Gold, Silver and Bronze Medals, just like the traditional Olympics.

Lakisha Bernard: Will represent Team Sri Lanka at WCOPA 2027

Outstanding performers vie for the coveted titles of Junior and Senior Grand Champion Performer of the World, with winners and standout participants awarded over $500,000 in scholarships, cash awards and prizes to catapult their education and careers!

Sri Lanka is already making waves! At WCOPA 2026, Natharie Wickramasinghe, representing Team Sri Lanka, made the nation proud by winning a Bronze Medal in the Ethnic/Folklore Dance category!

Lakisha: Accomplished freelance Model and Fashion Design graduate

Recruitment for this prestigious competition is handled through a system of scouts and licensed National Directors — and this is where our very own Chris Rajendra, now based in Las Vegas, and National Director for Team Sri Lanka, comes into the scene.

If you are a singer, dancer, actor, model, instrumentalist — if you have talent burning inside you — contact Chris Rajendra today for registration and, who knows, you may find yourself in Las Vegas, and proudly draped in the Sri Lankan flag, at WCOPA 2027!

The contact address is: Chris Rajendra, wcopa.nationaldirector.sl@gmail.com

or chris.rajendra@gmail.com

Meanwhile, a star is born for 2027, in the form of Lakisha Bernard who is all set to represent Team Sri Lanka at WCOPA 2027.

Originally hailing from the sun-drenched coastal city of Colombo and now carving out her creative career in Canada, 22-year-old Lakisha is stepping into the international spotlight.

This accomplished freelance Model and Fashion Design graduate has officially been appointed as the Team Sri Lanka Promoter for Canada as she prepares to represent Team Sri Lanka at WCOPA in Las Vegas.

Lakisha brings a unique blend of high-fashion sensibility, captivating camera presence and expert garment design to the Team.

Having built her career, from local college shoots to high-glamour concepts, Lakisha’s inspiring journey embodies the true spirit of cultural bridge-building and creative resilience, bringing immense pride and recognition to Sri Lanka on the global stage.

WCOPA 2027 will be held at the legendary Westgate Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, from 12th to 20th July – the very same iconic arena where the late, great Elvis Presley himself performed!

Your moment is now. Your stage is Las Vegas, so hurry and contact Chris Rajendra.