Opinion
Winning support from international community
by Jehan Perera
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake is scheduled to make his first international visit to India this week. This is expected to be followed by a visit to China in close order. The president, and the country itself, is walking a tightrope between these two Asian giants, one which is the world’s second largest economy and other its fifth largest. Both of them see the island of Sri Lanka as a strategic location for their geopolitical aims. In the case of India, the stakes are particularly high as it does not wish China to pose a military challenge to it in the south when it is a belligerent power in the north where the two countries have gone to war over territory each claims for itself.
The manner in which the government is seeking to project the two visits that the president is to make is to call them economic investment-related visits. Indeed, both countries hold keys to Sri Lanka’s future prosperity. If they invest in productive enterprises, they will enable Sri Lanka to provide jobs to its people and perhaps keep them at home instead of migrating in droves to foreign countries for employment. Increased economic production as a result of foreign investment can also reduce the heavy burden of foreign loan repayments that impoverish the people. Loans that are used in corrupt ways are no substitute for foreign investment in economic enterprises.
So far Sri Lanka has been walking the tightrope between giving preference to the countries that have sustained the economy after the economic bankruptcy. The role that India played in giving emergency assistance during the height of the crisis in 2021 cannot be forgotten. Thereafter Sri Lanka has accepted the IMF loans and the new government continues to abide by its terms. In the past, the JVP leadership opposed deals with the IMF or compromise with the UN on issues it saw as being in the realm of protecting the country’s sovereignty. The most positive feature of the NPP government is its rationality in doing what is necessary to protect the country’s interests even if it is not in alignment with positions taken by its own leadership in the past. This can be seen in relation to the IMF agreement, the approach to the UN Human Rights Commission and on inter-ethnic peacebuilding.
ANTI-CORRUPTION DRIVE
The visit of US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, Donald Lu went smoothly with the president’s media division describing the outcome as being one in which the US envoy pledged “Unwavering Support for Sri Lanka’s Anti-Corruption Drive.” It also reported that the US is prepared to provide financial and technical assistance to strengthen Sri Lanka’s security and economy. Assistant Secretary Lu had also emphasized the US government’s willingness to offer technical expertise to help recover funds that were illegally taken out of the country, as part of Sri Lanka’s anti-corruption programme. The government’s positive understanding of the meeting was also that “The discussion highlighted the US government’s appreciation for the new administration’s prioritization of key political, economic, and social challenges.”
The driving force behind the Aragalaya people’s movement that drove the then government out of power despite its nearly two-thirds majority in parliament was the belief that corruption at the highest levels of that government was responsible for the economic debacle the country faced in 2021. There is a consensus in the country that crosses all its main divides, ethnic, religious and class, that corruption in high places is an evil that needs to be dealt with. The failure of previous governments to deal with this problem, notwithstanding their promises to do so, was the lack of internal political will. The unfortunate reality was that those at the helm of government were themselves complicit in the corruption they pledged to bring to an end.
The unique feature of the NPP government is that its leading members are not known to be complicit in corruption due to their ideological convictions and modest lifestyles. They have also not held positions of power to be tested nor do they appear to have personal relationships with those believed to be corrupt. The government’s commitment to ensuring that there will be no corruption and the general population’s alignment with that commitment provides the country with the opportunity to accept the US offer to help it tackle the problem of corruption. The modern digital economy that the government is emphasizing offers the best possibility of containing such corruption by the publication of all large calls for proposals or calls for tenders on a public website. Civil society think tank, Verite Research is currently completing a study on detecting corruption in procurement practices. The worst forms of corruption that cost, and continue to cost, the country billions have come as a result of corrupt contracts, unsolicited project proposals, where there is no competitive bidding and where there is no visibility.
CONSENSUS BUILDING
The main constraint to the government’s success at the present time is the lack of economic resources due to the profligacy and corruption of the past. It is difficult to understand the rationale why the previous government under President Gotabaya Rajapaksa thought it fit to reject the USD 450 milllion grant that the US was willing to provide to improve the country’s road and transport system under the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) and the USD 1.2 billion long term low interest loan that Japan offered to set up a light rail transport system. At the present time these appear to be lost opportunities, though the new government needs to keep trying in the hope that fortune can smile a second time. Sri Lanka’s location in the Indian Ocean and its importance to the sea lanes is an asset that needs to yield positive returns to the country.
During his visit, Assistant Secretary Lu offered a different financial assistance programme in the form of anti-corruption systems that could, potentially, bring in millions of revenue that are currently lost to the government. Enhanced revenue flows from taxes and customs revenues that are properly collected could lead to a corresponding reduction of the tax burden placed on the masses of people through unjust taxes such as the VAT which falls especially hard on the poorest sections of society, although they are the easiest taxes to collect. There will be massive cost savings and revenue generation if contracts are awarded in term of economic merit and not done in a corrupt manner. Anti-corruption measures that the international community can support Sri Lanka with could be quickly put in place as there will be no resistance to them from the general population, although there will surely be vested interests which will resist such anti-corruption measures.
The government will, however, be less willing to accept the offer of international assistance when it comes to issues on which the population is divided and not of one mind. The government faces challenges in navigating divisive issues like national security and ethnic conflict as seen recently on the Heroes Day celebrations. While international assistance in areas like corruption finds public backing, issues like replacing laws such as the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) and the Online Safety Act (OSA) which empowers it to take action in the name of national security or addressing ethnic power-sharing require careful consensus-building. Policies that risk further polarizing communities could undermine stability. This is where special emphasis needs to be placed on peacebuilding and social cohesion building which requires dialogue both within and outside the country in forums such as the UN Human Rights Council.
by Sudharman Siripala
Sri Lanka is grappling with the increasing threat of climate change, which has led to unpredictable weather patterns. The country faces a dangerous combination of flooding in some regions and water shortages in others, a situation exacerbated by shifting rainfall patterns. Rivers originating in the Central Hills, such as the Mahaweli, Kalu, and Kelani, flow through much of the country, but these water sources are not being distributed evenly. Districts like Monaragala and Hambantota, located in the dry zone, are experiencing severe water shortages. To address this challenge, experts suggest the development of an interconnected river system to harness excess water during floods and redirect it to drier areas, ensuring a year-round water supply for agriculture and daily use.
Global Case Studies in River Management
Several countries facing similar water-related challenges have implemented successful water management systems that Sri Lanka could adapt to its unique circumstances:
The Netherlands – Room for the River Programme
The Netherlands, a country prone to flooding, widened its rivers and relocated dikes to create floodplains. This approach allows rivers to overflow without damaging urban areas, while preserving water flow and natural habitats. Sri Lanka could apply this concept by designating specific riverbank areas for temporary flood storage.
China – South-North Water Transfer Project
China’s massive project channels excess water from the flood-prone Yangtze River to drier northern regions. This system of canals and reservoirs could inspire Sri Lanka to divert water from rivers in the Central Hills to drier areas in the south and east.
Bangladesh – River Interlinking Projects
Bangladesh has implemented river interlinking projects to redistribute water from flood-prone rivers, such as the Brahmaputra, to drier regions. Sri Lanka could link its major rivers like the Mahaweli and Kelani to smaller rivers in water-scarce districts to balance water distribution.
India – National River Linking Project
India’s National River Linking Project connects major rivers to manage both floods and droughts. Sri Lanka could use similar strategies, connecting rivers around the 500-foot contour line in the Central Hills to help distribute water more effectively.
United States – Mississippi River and Tributaries Project
The Mississippi River system combines levees, floodways, and diversion channels to manage flooding. Sri Lanka could adopt similar flood-control measures in vulnerable river basins such as the Kelani and Kalu.
Japan – Underground Reservoirs and Flood Channels
Japan’s G-Cans Project in Tokyo channels excess water into underground reservoirs to prevent urban flooding. A similar underground system could be implemented in Colombo and other flood-prone cities in Sri Lanka.
Singapore – Marina Barrage
Singapore’s Marina Barrage serves as both a flood control measure and a water supply resource. Sri Lanka could develop similar systems to control flooding in urban areas and ensure water availability during dry spells.
Thailand – Chao Phraya River Basin Management
Thailand uses diversion channels in the Chao Phraya River Basin to prevent flooding in Bangkok and direct water to agricultural areas. Sri Lanka could replicate this by creating diversion channels to supply water to its agricultural zones.
Actionable Solutions for Sri Lanka
Develop an Interconnected River System
Establish water diversion channels along the 300-500 meter contour lines of the Central Hills to capture excess rainfall during floods and redirect it to drier areas.
Build Reservoirs and Storage Tanks
Construct reservoirs to store diverted water, ensuring a steady supply for agriculture and domestic use. Sri Lanka has around 14,000 ancient tanks out of 30,000 that could be revitalized for this purpose.
Improve Urban Flood Defenses
Drawing inspiration from Japan and Singapore, build underground reservoirs and flood channels in cities like Colombo to mitigate urban flooding.
Strengthen Watershed Management
Restore natural floodplains and create wetlands to absorb excess rainwater, as seen in the Netherlands, helping to reduce flood risks.
Encourage Public-Private Partnerships
Foster collaboration between the public and private sectors to fund large-scale water management infrastructure, leveraging models from China and the United States.
Leverage Technology
Utilise modern forecasting and real-time water management systems, similar to those in Bangladesh and Thailand, to monitor water levels and manage river flows dynamically.
International Collaboration
Form partnerships with countries that have successfully implemented flood control and water management systems to share expertise and technology.
Sri Lanka’s dual challenges of flooding and water scarcity, compounded by climate change, require immediate action. By developing an interconnected river system and learning from successful global water management models, Sri Lanka can mitigate the effects of floods while ensuring a sustainable water supply for agriculture and daily life. It is crucial for the country to act now, as these solutions have the potential to transform Sri Lanka’s water management system for the better.
Sudharman Siripala Managing Director of Geoinformatics Group and a Registered Licensed Surveyor, specializes in geo-spatial applications. He also serves as a freelance value chain consultant for Vivonta Green Tech Consultants (www.vivonta.lk)
Some people have found fault with a female doctor for not coming forward to identify her rapist and help make him pay for his crime.
Do they not realise the emotional toll of facing her rapist again?
There should be a way for survivors to testify directly to the judge without enduring such distressing encounters. Making a victim relive her trauma in this manner is akin to subjecting her to the ordeal all over again.
A Ratnayake
Sri Lanka was once at an economically comparable level with some of the world’s most developed countries in the 19th century. However, despite our country’s potential, we are still striving to fully develop. Many people often blame politicians, government officers, or various sectors for the situation. However, I believe the root cause of these issues lies not in any individual or group, but in the lack of good attitudes within our society.
We are investing significant resources into our education system, which is funded by the taxes of hard- working citizens. However, when we examine the outcomes, we realise that the academic achievements of our graduates alone are not enough. There are instances where professionals, despite having the necessary qualifications, fail to uphold ethical standards. In some cases, this even results in malpractice or harmful actions that damage our country’s reputation and progress. This highlights the gap between academic success and real-world responsibilities.
The education system, which is currently focused on competitive exams and rote learning, does not emphasise the development of attitudes and character in students. While our students are academically capable, many lack the qualities required to contribute positively to society. This lack of focus on social values, such as patriotism, selflessness and respect for elders, is holding us back from achieving the level of progress we deserve.
To address these concerns, I wrote to His Excellency, the President of Sri Lanka, on 24th September 2024, proposing education reforms that emphasise not only academic qualifications but also attitudes, ethics, and social responsibility. I suggested a holistic approach to university admissions and government recruitment, incorporating moral integrity, character, and extracurricular involvement, key traits for fostering well- rounded, responsible citizens. More importantly, I strongly recommended introducing a compulsory school subject, with both theory and practical components, focused on attitude development, which would be evaluated in university admissions. Encouraging extracurricular participation alongside academics will help shape ethical and socially responsible individuals.
I am pleased to inform you that the President, recognising the importance of these reforms, has directed the relevant ministries (by a letter dated 24th October 2024) to explore integrating these ideas into the education system. This marks a crucial step in transforming the values and attitudes of our youth for the nation’s benefit.
However, meaningful change requires collective effort. Parents, teachers, students, and citizens all play a role in shaping Sri Lanka’s future. Together, we must instill responsibility, ethics, and patriotism in the next generation. I invite you to share your thoughts and suggestions on further enhancing the values and attitudes of our youth. Your feedback will be invaluable in building a brighter future for Sri Lanka, one driven not just by knowledge, but by integrity and character.
Dr. Mahesh Premarathna
Research Fellow, National Institute of Fundamental Studies, Sri Lanka Email: mahesh.pr@nifs.ac.lk
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