Features

The state in Sri Lankan nation

Published

4 years ago

2022/04/25

By Neville Ladduwahetty

The prevailing state in the Sri Lankan nation is that while one group is engaged in protests, and making demands that cannot be constitutionally realised, another group is patiently lining up in long queues to collect supplies needed to fulfil their basic needs. The two groups are from two different strata of society. While the former consists of young and educated, and from the middle strata of Sri Lankan society, the latter is largely from the working class, and hence their focus is on how to survive in these trying circumstances.

This separation of interests has given rise to a political crisis as far as the first group is concerned, and an economic crisis as far as the second group is concerned. Although the political and economic concerns are those of two separate groups, there is a good possibility for the two concerns to merge if allowed to fester due to lack of attention. The general impression is that easing the economic situation in the country would prevent such a merger, and that in fact it may even ease up on the political demands.

DEMANDS of the PROTESTERS

The main demand of the protesters is in the slogan “Gota Go Home”. However, this is easier said than done, as it cannot be achieved constitutionally, as pointed out by recognised constitutional experts and other commentators. The methods being contemplated to oust the President are either to pass a vote of no-confidence (No-Confidence Motion (NCM) in Parliament or for Parliament to impeach him. In the case of a no-confidence vote, there has to be sufficient votes in Parliament to make it a reality; a fact that is seriously in doubt. Besides, even if there are sufficient numbers in Parliament to clobber together a simple majority, all that would happen is for the Cabinet of Ministers to “stand dissolved” (Article 49 (2) (c). As far as the President is concerned, he is constitutionally entitled to appoint a new Prime Minister and a new Cabinet of Ministers. In short, the position of the President remains unaffected.

On the other hand, if the strategy is to impeach the President, a Member of Parliament has to give notice of a resolution addressed to the Speaker under provisions of Article 38 (2). However, such a resolution has to be signed either by a “not less than two-third” majority, or by a simple majority and the Speaker is satisfied that the claims of the resolution merit inquiry. Since neither a two-third majority nor a simple majority with the endorsement of the Speaker are realistic propositions, impeaching the President is not a viable option.

What these constitutional provisions mean is that the President cannot be sent home unless he resigns. Since both protesters and their supporters, advisors and backers are supposed to be smart and educated, how come they were not aware of the many constitutional constraints that prevent them from sending the President home? Other than, of course to plead their case. And had they realised their limitations, would they have opted for other approaches; that would gently persuade the President out of the goodness of his heart, to resign and go home? This also means, therefore that a need exists for protesters to revisit current strategies and use their charm and wit to persuade the President to go home, because the protests taking place at Galle Face Green and in the rest of the country would amount to nothing but expressions of frustration without substance, since he cannot be ousted constitutionally.

The fact, that these limitations have not occurred to them is disappointing, particularly because the protesters represent the future generations of Sri Lanka. It is they who have to take over the baton when the time comes. Furthermore, since they do not have a formal structure, it is not possible to bring these hard realities to their attention. Indications are that they too would blunder just as previous generations have done.

ECONOMICS ISSUES

Economic issues are affecting a vast swath of Sri Lankans and its numbers are more than those of the protesters. Yet, because they suffer in silence, they do not get the attention and publicity the protesters get. The majority of them are affected by lack of fertilizer and issues relating to the energy sector.

The practice thus far has been to import crude oil and refined products from a variety of foreign sources. Since Sri Lanka has failed to develop its owned fossil fuel deposits, said to be available in the Mannar Basin, the practice of importing energy needs has to continue. This has resulted in the import of both crude oil and finished petroleum products, as done in the past. The current lack of funds to continue with the practices of the past has brought the whole issue of energy to a head, because the inability to sustain imports has affected every sector of society, the most vulnerable being those who are not with the protesters. Therefore, there is an urgent need to adopt a fresh energy policy that would be in keeping with the prevailing reality of rock bottom Forex Reserves; a fact that now compels the government to abandon practices of the past.

FRESH ENERGY POLICY

A fresh energy policy should not lose sight of the long-term goal of meeting energy demands through technologies other than fossil fuels. The need to do so is dictated by global commitments to meet the realities of Climate Change. This is similar to the sudden switch to organic fertiliser which the government adopted without factoring in the inevitable public reaction to such a policy. Therefore, while recognizing the merits of both policies, their implementation should be undertaken in a measured manner; a fact now realized and admitted by the government as a mistake.

The proposed fresh energy policy should be treated strictly as an interim measure. While this interim measure is in operation, the government should set up the infrastructure needed to switch from fossil fuel dependence to alternate technologies, starting with the major cities. Such an approach should have been adopted in respect of fertiliser, too. However, a fact that should be realized in respect of both policies is that any government should engage in a campaign to secure the support of the public, if the benefits of both policies are to be realized.

An interim policy, relating to securing regular supplies of both crude oil and refined products, would be to negotiate with countries that are prepared to set up a Refinery of sufficient capacity in Trincomalee to supply Sri Lanka’s needs of refined products, and for them to export the balance to any country of their choice. In the meantime, Sri Lanka should expand the Refinery at Sapugaskanda from its present capacity of 44,000 barrels/day, which is reported to meet only 25% of Sri Lanka’s needs to 100,000 barrels/day so that Sri Lanka is not totally dependent on a single source for its energy needs. Since Refinery Capacities range from 100,000 to 250,000 barrels/day, a Refinery within the average range would be readily able to supply Sri Lanka’s needs, with export of the rest to Indian Ocean Rim countries.

In summary, the government should seriously explore an arrangement for the delivery of 44,000 barrels/day needed by Sapugaskanda in the form of crude oil and the balance refined products needed, while the new refinery is being set up.

The quantity of refined products would decrease with the expansion of the capacity at Sapugaskanda to 100,000 barrels/day. The cost of procuring Sri Lanka’s needs from the foreign owned refinery could be partially offset by the revenue generated from the lease of the land for say, 25 years, and from sources such as Port charges, rents from restored storage tanks, and other associated services. Furthermore, the cost of procuring refined products from such a Refinery would gradually decrease in proportion to the rate at which Sri Lanka accelerates its switch from fossil fuels to alternative technologies.

CONCLUSION

Notwithstanding all the shouting at Galle Face, and in other parts of the country, as well as abroad, with the call, “Gota Go Home”, the President cannot be removed constitutionally either through a No-Confidence Motion in Parliament or through a Resolution to Impeach, as explained above. Therefore, the only way for the President to be legitimately removed, is for a voluntary resignation. The fact that the protesters, their supporters and their backers failed to recognise this impediment before they started on their adventure, is disappointing for the generation that is supposed to represent the Future of Sri Lanka.

In the meantime, another section of society is patiently standing in lines to secure basic needs for survival. A section of this citizenry was affected by the policy relating to fertiliser adopted by the government. For them, there is hope that they would be able to restore their livelihoods with the government admitting that the policy while being commendable, failed in the implementation process; a realisation that has caused the government to revisit the manner in which the policy should have been implemented.

The rest of the Sri Lankan population is seriously affected by an inability to secure sufficient energy needs to continue with their livelihoods. This situation is unlikely to improve if the government continues to supplement its energy needs piecemeal, depending on lines of credit. The government needs to seriously engage with a willing party to address its immediate needs as an interim measure, not forgetting its long-term vision and its global commitments to phase out fossil fuels as a source of energy. The broad outlines of an interim arrangement are presented above for consideration. It is left to the government to seriously consider this or alternative interim arrangement, if the economy is to breathe again.

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Features

Political violence stalking Trump administration

Published

12 hours ago

2026/04/30

Sahan Weerasooriya

A scene that unfolded during the shooting incident at the recent White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington. (BBC)

It would not be particularly revelatory to say that the US is plagued by ‘gun violence’. It is a deeply entrenched and widespread malaise that has come in tandem with the relative ease with which firearms could be acquired and owned by sections of the US public, besides other causes.

However, a third apparent attempt on the life of US President Donald Trump in around two and a half years is both thought-provoking and unsettling for the defenders of democracy. After all, whatever its short comings the US remains the world’s most vibrant democracy and in fact the ‘mightiest’ one. And the US must remain a foremost democracy for the purpose of balancing and offsetting the growing power of authoritarian states in the global power system, who are no friends of genuine representational governance.

Therefore, the recent breaching of the security cordon surrounding the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington at which President Trump and his inner Cabinet were present, by an apparently ‘Lone Wolf’ gunman, besides raising issues relating to the reliability of the security measures deployed for the President, indicates a notable spike in anti-VVIP political violence in particular in the US. It is a pointer to a strong and widespread emergence of anti-democratic forces which seem to be gaining in virulence and destructiveness.

The issues raised by the attack are in the main for the US’ political Right and its supporters. They have smugly and complacently stood by while the extremists in their midst have taken centre stage and begun to dictate the course of Right wing politics. It is the political culture bred by them that leads to ‘Lone Wolf’ gunmen, for instance, who see themselves as being repressed or victimized, taking the law into their own hands, so to speak, and perpetrating ‘revenge attacks’ on the state and society.

A disproportionate degree of attention has been paid particularly internationally to Donald Trump’s personality and his eccentricities but such political persons cannot be divorced from the political culture in which they originate and have their being. That is, “structural” questions matter. Put simply, Donald Trump is a ‘true son’ of the Far Right, his principal support base. The issues raised are therefore for the President as well as his supporters of the Right.

We are obliged to respect the choices of the voting public but in the case of Trump’s election to the highest public position in the US, this columnist is inclined to see in those sections that voted for Trump blind followers of the latter who cared not for their candidate’s suitability, in every relevant respect, and therefore acted irrationally. It would seem that the Right in the US wanted their candidate to win by ‘hook or by crook’ and exercise power on their behalf.

By making the above observations this columnist does not intend to imply that voting publics everywhere in the world of democracy cast their vote sensibly. In the case of Sri Lanka, for example, the question could be raised whether the voters of the country used their vote sensibly when voting into office the majority of Executive Presidents and other persons holding high public office. The obvious answer is ‘no’ and this should lead to a wider public discussion on the dire need for thoroughgoing voter education. The issue is a ‘huge’ one that needs to be addressed in the appropriate forums and is beyond the scope of this column.

Looking back it could be said that the actions of Trump and his die-hard support base led to the Rule of Law in the US being undermined as perhaps never before in modern times. A shaming moment in this connection was the protest march, virtually motivated by Trump, of his supporters to the US Capitol on January 6th, 2021, with the aim of scuttling the presidential poll result of that year. Much violence and unruly behaviour, as known, was let loose. This amounted to denigrating the democratic process and encouraging the violent take over of the state.

In a public address, prior to the unruly conduct of his supporters, Trump is on record as blaring forth the following: ‘We won this election and we won by a landslide’, ‘We will stop the steal’, ‘We will never give up. We will never concede. It doesn’t happen’, ‘If you don’t fight like hell, you’re not going to have a country anymore.’

It is plain to see that such inflammatory utterances could lead impressionable minds in particular to revolt violently. Besides, they should have led the more rationally inclined to wonder whether their candidate was the most suitable person to hold the office of President.

Unfortunately, the latter process was not to be and the question could be raised whether the US is in the ‘safest pair of hands’. Needless to say, as events have revealed, Donald Trump is proving to be one of the most erratic heads of state the US has ever had.

However, the latest attempt on the life of President Trump suggests that considerable damage has been done to the democratic integrity of the US and none other than the President himself has to take on himself a considerable proportion of the blame for such degeneration, besides the US’ Far Right. They could be said to be ‘reaping the whirlwind.’

It is a time for soul-searching by the US Right. The political Right has the right to exist, so the speak, in a functional democracy but it needs to take cognizance of how its political culture is affecting the democratic integrity or health of the US. Ironically, the repressive and chauvinistic politics advocated by it is having the effect of activating counter-violence of the most murderous kind, as was witnessed at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner. Continued repressive politics could only produce more such incidents that could be self-defeating for the US.

Some past US Presidents were assassinated but the present political violence in the country brings into focus as perhaps never before the role that an anti-democratic political culture could play in unraveling the gains that the US has made over the decades. A duty is cast on pro-democracy forces to work collectively towards protecting the democratic integrity and strength of the US.

Features

22nd Anniversary Gala …action-packed event

Published

12 hours ago

2026/04/30

Sahan Weerasooriya

The Skyliners: Shanaka Viswakula (bass), Mario Ranasuriya (lead guitar), Daryl D'Souza (keyboards) and Kushmin Balasuriya (drums)

The Editor-in-Chief of The Sri Lankan Anchorman, a Toronto-based monthly, celebrating Sri Lankan community life in Canada, is none other than veteran Sri Lankan journalist Dirk Tissera, who moved to Canada in 1997. His wife, Michelle, whom he calls his “tower of strength”, is the Design Editor.

According to reports coming my way, the paper has turned out to be extremely popular in Toronto.

In fact, The Sri Lankan Anchorman won a press award in Toronto for excellence in editorial content and visual presentation.

However, the buzz in the air in Canada, right now, is The Sri Lankan Anchorman’s 22nd Anniversary Gala, to be held on Friday, 12 June, 2026, at the J&J Swagat Banquet Convention Centre, in Toronto.

An action-packed programme has been put together for the night, featuring some of the very best artistes in the Toronto scene.

The Skylines, who are classified as ‘the local musical band in Toronto’, will headline the event.

Dirk Tissera and wife Michelle: Supporting Sri Lanka-Canada community events, in Toronto, since launching The Anchorman
in 2002

They have performed and backed many legendary Sri Lanka singers.

According to Dirk, The Skylines can belt out a rhythm with gusto … be it Western, Sinhala or Tamil hits.

Also adding sparkle to the evening will be the legendary Fahmy Nazick, who, with his smooth and velvety vocals, will have the crowd on the floor.

Fahmy who was a household name, back in Sri Lanka, will be flying down from Virginia, USA.

He has captivated audiences in Sri Lanka, the Middle East and North America, and this will be his fourth visit to Toronto – back by popular demand,

Cherry DeLuna, who is described by Dirk as a powerhouse, also makes her appearance on stage and is all set to stir up the tempo with her cool and easy delivery.

“She’s got a great voice and vocal range that has captivated audiences out here”, says Dirk.

Chamil Welikala, said to be one of the hottest DJs in town, will be spinning his magic … in English, Sinhala, Tamil and Latin.

Both Jive and Baila competitions are on the cards among many other surprises on the night of 12 June.

This is The Anchorman’s fifth annual dance in a row – starting from 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025 – and both Dirk and Michelle, and The Anchorman, have always produced elegant social events in Toronto.

“We intend to knock this one out of the park,” the duo says, adding that Western music and Sinhala and Tamil songs is something they’ve always delivered and the crowd loves it.

“We have always supported Sri Lanka-Canada community events, in Toronto, since launching The Anchorman, in 2002, and we intend to keep it that way.”

No doubt, there will be a large crowd of Sri Lankans, from all communities, turning up, on 12 June, to support Dirk, Michelle and The Anchorman.

Features

Face Pack for Radiant Skin

Published

12 hours ago

2026/04/30

Sahan Weerasooriya

* Apple and Orange:

Blend a few apple and orange pieces together. Add to it a pinch of turmeric and one tablespoon of honey. Apply it to the face and neck and rinse off after 30 minutes. This face pack is suitable for all skin types.

According to experts, apple is one of the best fruits for your skin health with Vitamin A, B complex and Vitamin C and minerals, while, with the orange peel, excessive oil secretion can be easily balanced.

* Mango and Curd:

Ripe mango pulp, mixed with curd, can be rubbed directly onto the skin to remove dirt and cleanse clogged pores. Rinse off after a few minutes.

Yes, of course, mango is a tasty and delicious fruit and this is the mango season in our part of the world, and it has extra-ordinary benefits to skin health. Vitamins C and E in mangoes protect the skin from the UV rays of the sun and promotes cell regeneration. It also promotes skin elasticity and fights skin dullness and acne, while curd, in combination, further adds to it.

* Grapes and Kiwi:

Take a handful of grapes and make a pulp of it. Simultaneously, take one kiwi fruit and mash it after peeling its skin. Now mix them and add some yoghurt to it. Apply it on your face for few minutes and wash it off.

Here again experts say that kiwi is the best nutrient-rich fruit with high vitamin C, minerals, Omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin E, while grapes contain flavonoids, which is an antioxidant that protects the skin from free radical damage. This homemade face pack acts as a natural cleanser and slows down the ageing process.