Features

Fifty Years of Friendship and Solidarity

Published

4 years ago

2022/04/23

Sri Lanka–Bangladesh 50th Anniversary

Speech delivered recently by
Professor Sudharshan Seneviratne
High Commissioner for Sri Lanka in Bangladesh
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Kingdom of Bhutan

The High Commission of Sri Lanka in Bangladesh together with its fraternal partner, the High Commission of Bangladesh in Sri Lanka are pleased to share with our well-wishers this landmark event celebrating 50 years of friendship and solidarity. As an initiative taken by our two Missions, the anniversary will be celebrated throughout this year on various topical areas ranging from investments to culture. It is expected to be a common platform reaching out to our valued communities.

Relationships between our lands go beyond 50 years of its modern-day connectivity. Vangadesha and Tambapanni are historic lands proud of their ancestry and culture dating back to C. 600 BCE. That matrix shaped and cemented our commonalities, culture and above all our shared destinies. It was nurtured within the oceanicscape of the Indian Ocean and the Bay of Bengal. Pre-modern connectivity is seen through the lens of trade exchange, religion, dance, poetry as our shared heritage. Eventually, we overcame colonial occupation culminating in the rise of independent sovereign and democratic states known as Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

The sustainable relationship between two lands and their cultures cannot be gauged by abstract situations and simple statistics of the political-economy. It is something far more sensitive, durable and tangible. It is best seen as a symbiotic relationship reaching out to each other with respect. Our destinies, our past, present and future are essentially interdependent. In my short presentation unfolding our relationship, I will speak of past experience, present interaction and the way forward towards a shared future.

Past experience

Legend has it that around C. 6^th Century BCE, a prince from Vangadesha arrived in Tambapanni and married a princess from that island. The legend is found in the Pali texts in Sri Lanka datable to c. 4^th Cent. CE. The chronicled legend is a reflection of preexisting early oceanic connectivity on trade and cultural exchange between the two ends of the Bay of Bengal. The archaeological record provides far more tangible evidence from ancient material culture. It sheds light on a trading vortex based on luxury commodities such as, pearls, chank (conch shell), ivory, precious stone, metallic resources, sandalwood being some of the traded items mediated through merchants and mariners of our lands.

Intense convergence of trade in the Bay of Bengal witnessed economic and religio-cultural interactions during the Middle Historic period reaching higher levels. Buddhism was a primary medium that carried the message of culture and civilizations to both lands. It endowed a rich doctrinal knowledge of Theravada and Mahayana traditions. The historic material culture and the living traditions of Buddhism in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh reflect the pristine sentiments embedded in the cultures of these lands. Medieval texts in Sri Lanka record movements of Buddhist monks and merchants traversing the waters of the Bay of Bengal as goodwill envoys exchanging ideas, culture and commodities.

A deeper history between our two lands unfolded itself in the Colonial period. They are represented in aesthetically pleasing folk dance, folklore, poems, songs and village games embedded as an inherent part of the Sri Lankan culture. For instance, the dances representing Olinda songs and Bangalu walalu or bangles of Bengal are good examples.

Late Colonial and the rise of nationalism in the subcontinent witnessed a closer affinity with the culture of Bengal through the medium of art forms, songs, dance and education. Gurudev Rabinranath Tagore was the catalyst that forged a renaissance culture carving a permanent conduit between our lands. Rabindra sangeet and dance forms inspired the poetic expression of Sri Lankan artists such as Sunil Shanta and a host of others nurturing a permanent niche for itself within the Sri Lankan ethos.

Present Interaction

The contemporary period witnessed Sri Lanka and Bangladesh rising from multiple adverse situations. Both countries have a chequered history emerging from colonial oppression, natural disasters and terrorism. Our people rose again from ashes and destruction with greater resilience.

Today our two countries maintain a healthy relationship with each sharing common goals “for our people and the region”. We celebrate shared sentiments of mutuality over economic and cultural aspirations. Our two leaders hold each other with trust and consider each country in the highest esteem as kin-countries and as most trusted friends. We stand together at good times and take equal care of each other and ungrudgingly extending a magnanimous hand of solidarity and assistance at times of adversity.

Today we are at the threshold of entering a new era of cooperation and solidarity. The philosophy driving our engagement in Bangladesh is a two way process establishing a healthy working relationship. This philosophy is based on a symbiotic relationship of interdependence and mutual respect for each other and not one based on patron – client relationship. This synergy it fact presents itself how Bangladesh provided a conducive environment and safe haven for Sri Lankan investments and in turn how Sri Lankan professionals invested towards the growth of Bangladesh.

This mutuality evolved over some 40 odd years ago when Sri Lankan capital, expertise and technical know-how contributed towards a takeoff point in the apparel industry of Bangladesh which is now the primary provider to the world. As of now, Sri Lankan Investment amounts to around 2.5 billion US$ and some of the companies represent high-end professionals as CEO’s and middle management technocrats. They are mainly based in Dhaka and Chittagong roughly amounting to about 2000 individuals. Sri Lankan blue-chip companies cover banking, biscuits, gas, power and energy, apparel, shipping & logistics, health care, management and investment to mention a few. There are at least 25 cluster groups with 100% owned, 75% subsidiaries with controlling power around 80%. HE. Prime Minister Sheik Hasina personally conveyed to me how Sri Lankan professionals have provided a major value-added service to the Bangladesh economy. Her Excellency is hoping there will be a further investment flow into Bangladesh, especially in education and hospitals. Bangladesh has rewarded Sri Lankan professionals with upper-level salary scales and other remunerations.

Similarly, the goodwill mutual gesture of military training by each country and the Scholarship program for medical students’ endowed by Bangladesh are laudable.

Our engagements from the Mission in Dhaka were not deterred due to the pandemic. The planning of new initiatives were placed on track in the past two years. From the Sri Lankan end, our new investment plans have chalked out a long list of programs on two-way engagements. These largely cover Trade and Investments, Tourism, Shipping and aviation, agriculture, education, heritage and culture and health among other areas. A team of Travel writers and Tour operators from Bangladesh are currently touring Sri Lanka. An expanded plan on eco-tourism, sporting events and high end corporate tourism are on track. Events such as food festivals, investment sessions, IT-based operations, gems, tea and renewable energy initiatives are on the cards.

Aviation and shipping are making headway with official discussions at the ministerial level on coastal shipping, mutual birthing rights and warehouse facilities which are under discussion. Private sector shipping companies from Bangladesh and Sri Lanka most recently commenced working on joint ventures and the Government-owned shipping Corporations are working together. As for reverse investments, it is heartening to learn that Bangladesh has lifted the restriction of movement of capital as FDI’s. Though limited there was an outflow of FDI’s to Sri Lanka between 2005 and 2019 amounting to around 4 million US$. Sri Lanka is looking towards initial investments from Bangladesh and we have on track tourism, shipping, and pharma. We also need to strike a balance between the two brother nations so that trade balance needs to be rectified. As of now, the trade balance is in favour of Sri Lanka at 105 million US$. The near completion of the PTA will provide greater opportunities for closing the uneven flow.

Way forward towards
a shared future

Bangladesh and Sri Lanka need to prosper together. We also need to take care of each other in a newly evolving globalized world. We are also stakeholders of the larger family represented by the SAARC. BIMSTEC and IORA. As such, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka essentially need to see themselves as strategic partners. This partnership becomes imperative as our alignment revolves around the protection of the seascape embracing the two lands. One of the focal points and dynamics of the global power blocks is their engagement and aspirations in the Indian Ocean and the Bay of Bengal. The hinterland is a physical area that could be protected and managed by the respective states. We are now witnessing a sharply evolving competitive spirit that is setting the tone for the future of South Asia. The global neoliberal political and economic order is beginning to aggressively impact our region. It may effectively alter the balance of power and cordiality within the South Asian neighbourhood. Its impact is mainly felt over the seascape of the Bay of Bengal.

Our two lands hold an equally important role at the two strategic ends of the Bay of Bengal representing the “gateway” entry and exit points to the larger World systems. The Bay of Bengal essentially is an Oceanic highway. As such, the futuristic staying power and sustenance of our two countries revolve around the protection of the seascape of the Indian Ocean and the Bay of Bengal. It is now recognized that the Bay of Bengal is one of the richest resource areas in the world. Hence the high competitive premium placed on its natural and human wealth.

Bay of Bengal has wider ramifications. It provides entrée to a total oceanic eco-system associated with its residential community who are equal stakeholders to this oceanic repository. This implies common ownership to its total ecology: the wind, solar, aquatic and sub-surface mineral resources. It presents unison and not segments compartmentalized along narrow political fault lines or contours of hegimonic economic interests.

Most recently discussions feature the Centrality of the Bay of Bengal as a connectivity Hub for the Indo-Pacific Region and the Indian Ocean. There are also discussions on the Bay of Bengal Oceanic community. As equal stake holders Sri Lanka could collaborate with Bangladesh for studies on sustainable heritage economy and Bay of Bengal studies.

Bay of Bengal needs to be seen as an integral component of the IOR, where Both, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh are member of IORA. Taking a leaf out of the IORA, our two countries could steer towards (i) Maritime Safety & Security (ii) Trade & Investment (iii) Fisheries Management (iv) Disaster Risk Management (V) Academic, Science & Technology (vi) Tourism & Cultural Exchanges while Gender Empowerment is a significant area of engagement. If this is adhered to, it will be a permanent legacy of our trans-oceanic connectivity representing best of Track 2 & 3 Diplomacy.

This ideal finds expression in the “blue economy” or the ocean industry. The Blue Economy envisages the sustainable harvesting of our oceanic resources. In 2017 this idea was narrowed down to the Bay of Bengal by Abdullahel Bari from Bangladesh calling it “Our Ocean and the Blue Economy: Opportunities and Challenges” with special reference to Bangladesh.

Ocean industry has wider implications to both countries for its future planning, which essentially calls for joint studies. Both countries face security risks and over-exploitation of aquatic resources. In 2019 David Brewster suggested an Indian Ocean Security Forum as a regional agenda for Geo-Environmental Security Challenges. Such security risks may spill across geophysical boundaries and trigger off conflict areas. An allied opportunity is seen with the Tri-continental Maritime Security Cooperation (since 2013) where Bangladesh needs to be a full-time partner along with Sri Lanka, India and the Maldives. Most recent discussions also highlight the need to make the Bay of Bengal a zone of Peace so as to neutralize big power competition and also as a strategic philosophy on oceanic studies. Both Bangladesh and Sri Lanka must work together to realize such ideals.

In view of this, we wish to suggest a broader action plan incorporating a value-added purview of Oceanic Studies for the Bay of Bengal and as an engagement by its Oceanic community. A joint policy charted by Bangladesh and Sri Lanka for sustainable environmental development is one way forward how the oceanic front of Bay of Bengal is treated with sensitivity, protected and nurtured as a priority agenda by our two nations. It is about humanizing social, economic, and cultural interactions within a sustainable environment. It is seen as an alternative to development imposed from above on unequal partners in the global world. Bangladesh and Sri Lanka need to be key partners in realizing such an ideal.

Conclusion

Excellences’, ladies and gentlemen my officers at the Sri Lanka High Commission in Bangladesh join me in wishing another 50 years of friendship and solidarity between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka as a gift to our people and to the world.

May I sign off with the sentiment, Mage Suwarnabhumi Sri Lanka (my golden Sri Lanka) and Amar sonar Bangla (my Golden Bangla)

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Features

US’ drastic aid cut to UN poses moral challenge to world

Published

2 hours ago

2026/01/1

Thilina Walpola

An UN humanitarian mission in the Gaza. [File: Ashraf Amra/Anadolu Agency]

‘Adapt, shrink or die’ – thus runs the warning issued by the Trump administration to UN humanitarian agencies with brute insensitivity in the wake of its recent decision to drastically reduce to $2bn its humanitarian aid to the UN system. This is a substantial climb down from the $17bn the US usually provided to the UN for its humanitarian operations.

Considering that the US has hitherto been the UN’s biggest aid provider, it need hardly be said that the US decision would pose a daunting challenge to the UN’s humanitarian operations around the world. This would indeed mean that, among other things, people living in poverty and stifling material hardships, in particularly the Southern hemisphere, could dramatically increase. Coming on top of the US decision to bring to an end USAID operations, the poor of the world could be said to have been left to their devices as a consequence of these morally insensitive policy rethinks of the Trump administration.

Earlier, the UN had warned that it would be compelled to reduce its aid programs in the face of ‘the deepest funding cuts ever.’ In fact the UN is on record as requesting the world for $23bn for its 2026 aid operations.

If this UN appeal happens to go unheeded, the possibilities are that the UN would not be in a position to uphold the status it has hitherto held as the world’s foremost humanitarian aid provider. It would not be incorrect to state that a substantial part of the rationale for the UN’s existence could come in for questioning if its humanitarian identity is thus eroded.

Inherent in these developments is a challenge for those sections of the international community that wish to stand up and be counted as humanists and the ‘Conscience of the World.’ A responsibility is cast on them to not only keep the UN system going but to also ensure its increased efficiency as a humanitarian aid provider to particularly the poorest of the poor.

It is unfortunate that the US is increasingly opting for a position of international isolation. Such a policy position was adopted by it in the decades leading to World War Two and the consequences for the world as a result for this policy posture were most disquieting. For instance, it opened the door to the flourishing of dictatorial regimes in the West, such as that led by Adolph Hitler in Germany, which nearly paved the way for the subjugation of a good part of Europe by the Nazis.

If the US had not intervened militarily in the war on the side of the Allies, the West would have faced the distressing prospect of coming under the sway of the Nazis and as a result earned indefinite political and military repression. By entering World War Two the US helped to ward off these bleak outcomes and indeed helped the major democracies of Western Europe to hold their own and thrive against fascism and dictatorial rule.

Republican administrations in the US in particular have not proved the greatest defenders of democratic rule the world over, but by helping to keep the international power balance in favour of democracy and fundamental human rights they could keep under a tight leash fascism and linked anti-democratic forces even in contemporary times. Russia’s invasion and continued occupation of parts of Ukraine reminds us starkly that the democracy versus fascism battle is far from over.

Right now, the US needs to remain on the side of the rest of the West very firmly, lest fascism enjoys another unfettered lease of life through the absence of countervailing and substantial military and political power.

However, by reducing its financial support for the UN and backing away from sustaining its humanitarian programs the world over the US could be laying the ground work for an aggravation of poverty in the South in particular and its accompaniments, such as, political repression, runaway social discontent and anarchy.

What should not go unnoticed by the US is the fact that peace and social stability in the South and the flourishing of the same conditions in the global North are symbiotically linked, although not so apparent at first blush. For instance, if illegal migration from the South to the US is a major problem for the US today, it is because poor countries are not receiving development assistance from the UN system to the required degree. Such deprivation on the part of the South leads to aggravating social discontent in the latter and consequences such as illegal migratory movements from South to North.

Accordingly, it will be in the North’s best interests to ensure that the South is not deprived of sustained development assistance since the latter is an essential condition for social contentment and stable governance, which factors in turn would guard against the emergence of phenomena such as illegal migration.

Meanwhile, democratic sections of the rest of the world in particular need to consider it a matter of conscience to ensure the sustenance and flourishing of the UN system. To be sure, the UN system is considerably flawed but at present it could be called the most equitable and fair among international development organizations and the most far-flung one. Without it world poverty would have proved unmanageable along with the ills that come along with it.

Dehumanizing poverty is an indictment on humanity. It stands to reason that the world community should rally round the UN and ensure its survival lest the abomination which is poverty flourishes. In this undertaking the world needs to stand united. Ambiguities on this score could be self-defeating for the world community.

For example, all groupings of countries that could demonstrate economic muscle need to figure prominently in this initiative. One such grouping is BRICS. Inasmuch as the US and the West should shrug aside Realpolitik considerations in this enterprise, the same goes for organizations such as BRICS.

The arrival at the above international consensus would be greatly facilitated by stepped up dialogue among states on the continued importance of the UN system. Fresh efforts to speed-up UN reform would prove major catalysts in bringing about these positive changes as well. Also requiring to be shunned is the blind pursuit of narrow national interests.

Features

Egg white scene …

Published

3 hours ago

2026/01/1

Thilina Walpola

Hi! Great to be back after my Christmas break.

Thought of starting this week with egg white.

Yes, eggs are brimming with nutrients beneficial for your overall health and wellness, but did you know that eggs, especially the whites, are excellent for your complexion?

OK, if you have no idea about how to use egg whites for your face, read on.

Egg White, Lemon, Honey:

Separate the yolk from the egg white and add about a teaspoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice and about one and a half teaspoons of organic honey. Whisk all the ingredients together until they are mixed well.

Apply this mixture to your face and allow it to rest for about 15 minutes before cleansing your face with a gentle face wash.

Don’t forget to apply your favourite moisturiser, after using this face mask, to help seal in all the goodness.

Egg White, Avocado:

In a clean mixing bowl, start by mashing the avocado, until it turns into a soft, lump-free paste, and then add the whites of one egg, a teaspoon of yoghurt and mix everything together until it looks like a creamy paste.

Apply this mixture all over your face and neck area, and leave it on for about 20 to 30 minutes before washing it off with cold water and a gentle face wash.

Egg White, Cucumber, Yoghurt:

In a bowl, add one egg white, one teaspoon each of yoghurt, fresh cucumber juice and organic honey. Mix all the ingredients together until it forms a thick paste.

Apply this paste all over your face and neck area and leave it on for at least 20 minutes and then gently rinse off this face mask with lukewarm water and immediately follow it up with a gentle and nourishing moisturiser.

Egg White, Aloe Vera, Castor Oil:

To the egg white, add about a teaspoon each of aloe vera gel and castor oil and then mix all the ingredients together and apply it all over your face and neck area in a thin, even layer.

Leave it on for about 20 minutes and wash it off with a gentle face wash and some cold water. Follow it up with your favourite moisturiser.

Features

Confusion cropping up with Ne-Yo in the spotlight

Published

3 hours ago

2026/01/1

Thilina Walpola

Ne-Yo: His management should clarify the last-minute cancellation

Superlatives galore were used, especially on social media, to highlight R&B singer Ne-Yo’s trip to Sri Lanka: Global superstar Ne-Yo to perform live in Colombo this December; Ne-Yo concert puts Sri Lanka back on the global entertainment map; A global music sensation is coming to Sri Lanka … and there were lots more!

At an official press conference, held at a five-star venue, in Colombo, it was indicated that the gathering marked a defining moment for Sri Lanka’s entertainment industry as international R&B powerhouse and three-time Grammy Award winner Ne-Yo prepares to take the stage in Colombo this December.

What’s more, the occasion was graced by the presence of Sunil Kumara Gamage, Minister of Sports & Youth Affairs of Sri Lanka, and Professor Ruwan Ranasinghe, Deputy Minister of Tourism, alongside distinguished dignitaries, sponsors, and members of the media.

Shah Rukh Khan: Disappointed his fans in Sri Lanka

According to reports, the concert had received the official endorsement of the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, recognising it as a flagship initiative in developing the country’s concert economy by attracting fans, and media, from all over South Asia.

Nick Carter: His concert, too, was cancelled due to “Unforeseen circumstances

However, I had that strange feeling that this concert would not become a reality, keeping in mind what happened to Nick Carter’s Colombo concert – cancelled at the very last moment.

Carter issued a video message announcing he had to return to the USA due to “unforeseen circumstances” and a “family emergency”.

Though “unforeseen circumstances” was the official reason provided by Carter and the local organisers, there was speculation that low ticket sales may also have been a factor in the cancellation.

Well, “Unforeseen Circumstances” has cropped up again!

In a brief statement, via social media, the organisers of the Ne-Yo concert said the decision was taken due to “unforeseen circumstances and factors beyond their control.”

Ne-Yo, too, subsequently made an announcement, citing “Unforeseen circumstances.”

The public has a right to know what these “unforeseen circumstances” are, and who is to be blamed – the organisers or Ne-Yo!

Ne-Yo’s management certainly need to come out with the truth.

However, those who are aware of some of the happenings in the setup here put it down to poor ticket sales, mentioning that the tickets for the concert, and a meet-and-greet event, were exorbitantly high, considering that Ne-Yo is not a current mega star.

We also had a cancellation coming our way from Shah Rukh Khan, who was scheduled to visit Sri Lanka for the City of Dreams resort launch, and then this was received: “Unfortunately due to unforeseen personal reasons beyond his control, Mr. Khan is no longer able to attend.”

Referring to this kind of mess up, a leading showbiz personality said that it will only make people reluctant to buy their tickets, online.

“Tickets will go mostly at the gate and it will be very bad for the industry,” he added.