Sri Lanka - News and Discussion

Kashi · Post by **Kashi** » 09 Jan 2015 09:16

In my opinion it maybe easier for GoI to deal with Sri Lanka under Sirisena than under Rajapakse without invoking a swarm of protests in TN everytime the name Rajapakse was mentioned. Sirisena's alliance includes Wickremasinghe, someone who has been traditionally favourably inclined towards us.

Since Sirisena has received overwhelming support from Tamizh folk, GoI can be more relaxed and active in engaging with him and can easily point out to the likes of Vaiko et al that Sirisena has the mandate from SL tamizh themselves, then who are they to question it. Also makes it relatively easier for India to counter China-Paki duo in SL. This should allow us to actively engage in military-economic engagements with the new SL regime.

Maybe this was the opening we were looking for in India-Sri Lanka relations. But we need to move in quickly and decisively.

Tuvaluan · Post by **Tuvaluan** » 09 Jan 2015 09:38

Since we have a real leader as PM of India, and not that dimwitted clerk MMS (MMS and his NSA SSMenon actually supported Rajapakse to take down the LTTE and then got kicked in the teeth afterwards because they started giving him moral science lessons rather than work with him), maybe there is some hope that this PM will seize the day and work with the Newly elected president to work with India -- Rajapakse was a hostile one and it is great that he is gone. The new PM's manifesto had rhetoric blaming the chinese, so there is a chance he may be receptive to Indian advances, but the Chinese may well try to sweeten the pot further to get the new leadership on their side.

Now the talk is about
ninety percent ransoms. Now, if Rs 100,000 is
spent on the construction of a culvert the amount
pilfered is Rs 900, 000. If a total of Rs. 7.3 billion
is spent per kilo metre on the construction of the
Kadawata – Kerawalapitiya highway, the amount
pilfered is Rs. 5.2 billion

This money is received on credit from abroad.
The mega ransom goes to a few individuals.
Generations of our children and grandchildren
will not be able to completely finish paying off
this debt.

Of course, the manifesto is complaining more about the "theft" of monies rather than the entity giving monies to SL, so it may be best not to read too much into this. Besides, this is all election rhetoric.

http://www.maithripalas.com/wp-content/ ... eading.pdf

Comer · Post by **Comer** » 09 Jan 2015 09:41

Nice reset button, probably in decades.
High time GoI maintains direct contact with GoSL and avoid interlocutors like Vaiko or SuSwamy to interpret the relationship.
Wish there is a ferry service from India to SL and other easier access for both the countries.

Tuvaluan · Post by **Tuvaluan** » 09 Jan 2015 09:48

saravana, why just a ferry service -- IMO it would be better to just have a land link/bridge across from rameswaram into Sri Lanka and directly connect SL to India. I also have a whole lot of other wishes like this bridge to SL on my list but it is all OT for this thread.

kmkraoind · Post by **kmkraoind** » 09 Jan 2015 09:57

saravana wrote:Nice reset button, probably in decades.
High time GoI maintains direct contact with GoSL and avoid interlocutors like Vaiko or SuSwamy to interpret the relationship.
Wish there is a ferry service from India to SL and other easier access for both the countries.

Napoleon Bonaparte - 'I know he is a good general, but is he lucky?' NaMo is lucky for India. After he become PM.
- Global oil prices crashed - giving a chance to defuse fiscal deficit bomb that UPeeAway left to Modi's govt.
- Now friendly regime under Sri Lanka. Now its time to reduce Chinese presence there.

Tuvaluan wrote:saravana, why just a ferry service -- IMO it would be better to just have a land link/bridge across from rameswaram into Sri Lanka and directly connect SL to India. I also have a whole lot of other wishes like this bridge to SL on my list but it is all OT for this thread.

The new rail/road bridge may cost billions and yields will not justify it. After India adds 2 trillions in a few year, then we can consider to show the world, the technological and financial marvels to world.

Comer · Post by **Comer** » 09 Jan 2015 10:00

True, there are great possibilities if it is played right! Glad we have a person of NaMo caliber at the right moment in time.

Tuvaluan · Post by **Tuvaluan** » 09 Jan 2015 10:06

The new rail/road bridge may cost billions and yields will not justify it.

kmkraoind,
yes, saar, agree. just wishful thinking only...

nandakumar · Post by **nandakumar** » 09 Jan 2015 10:08

Tuvaluan wrote:saravana, why just a ferry service -- IMO it would be better to just have a land link/bridge across from rameswaram into Sri Lanka and directly connect SL to India. I also have a whole lot of other wishes like this bridge to SL on my list but it is all OT for this thread.

The poet Subramanya Bharati (what a great visionary!) spoke of making a street out of the 'Sethu' causeway to connect to Sri Lanka. The actuallines are, " Sethuvai Meduruthi Veedhi Samaippom".
Translation:
Make a street off a raised 'Sethu' bund

Sachin · Post by **Sachin** » 09 Jan 2015 10:29

nandakumar wrote:The poet Subramanya Bharati (what a great visionary!) spoke of making a street out of the 'Sethu' causeway to connect to Sri Lanka.

Is this from the poem which was also used in the song Kappalottiya Thamizhan? (Vellipani Methai..??) Remember a song in which a ship is launched and Bharathiyar singing about a grand vision for India.

Comer · Post by **Comer** » 09 Jan 2015 10:56

Sindhu nadhiyin misai nilavinilae is the start of the song. Amazing vision of interconnecting Indian subcontinent and trade

krishnan · Post by **krishnan** » 09 Jan 2015 11:06

saravana wrote:Sindhu nadhiyin misai nilavinilae is the start of the song. Amazing vision of interconnecting Indian subcontinent and trade

"Kai Kodutha Deivam"

Javee · Post by **Javee** » 09 Jan 2015 11:19

kmkraoind wrote:The new rail/road bridge may cost billions and yields will not justify it. After India adds 2 trillions in a few year, then we can consider to show the world, the technological and financial marvels to world.

It will be a great plan. For all the ports India has, none of them are as strategically located as Colombo. Both Colombo and Hambantota are strategic ports, almost all the ships that goes to South East Asia/Japan/China has to pass through Colombo. Also, by connecting Srilanka and India, we can send a clear message to the Chinese and close this pearl for ever. SL has a lot more reasons to look up to India, we (Indian brands) touch their day to day lives more than any other nation.

OTOH, even Lord Balaji did not want save this self proclaimed Dutugamunu, au revoir MR, you had it good while it lasted.

Javee · Post by **Javee** » 09 Jan 2015 11:35

Here are the pre-poll proclamations by the opposition parties, need to see how may of them will be met by MS.

(Reuters) - A leader of Sri Lanka's opposition said he would scrap a $1.5 billion deal with China Communications Construction Co Ltd (601800.SS) to build a port city if the challenger to President Mahinda Rajapaksa wins next month's election.

....."I will stop it," opposition leader Ranil Wickremesinghe, who would become prime minister if Sirisena wins, told tourism industry officials at a meeting on Tuesday."We have to protect our coastal area. If the port city is built, we will lose the coastal area," he added.China Communications Construction Co was not immediately available to comment.

http://in.reuters.com/article/2014/12/1 ... QA20141217

http://www.haveeru.com.mv/chinalanka/58035

The land that the White Man took over by means of military strength is now being obtained by foreigners by paying ransom to a handful of persons. This robbery is taking place before everybody in broad daylight…If this trend continues for another six years our country would become a colony and we would become slaves…Sri Lanka is rapidly getting isolated from the international community.

http://qz.com/323718

csaurabh · Post by **csaurabh** » 09 Jan 2015 11:40

Javee wrote:
kmkraoind wrote:The new rail/road bridge may cost billions and yields will not justify it. After India adds 2 trillions in a few year, then we can consider to show the world, the technological and financial marvels to world.
It will be a great plan. For all the ports India has, none of them are as strategically located as Colombo. Both Colombo and Hambantota are strategic ports, almost all the ships that goes to South East Asia/Japan/China has to pass through Colombo. Also, by connecting Srilanka and India, we can send a clear message to the Chinese and close this pearl for ever. SL has a lot more reasons to look up to India, we (Indian brands) touch their day to day lives more than any other nation.

OTOH, even Lord Balaji did not want save this self proclaimed Dutugamunu, au revoir MR, you had it good while it lasted.

but get ready for protests along the lines of Aryan India invading Dravidian Sri Lanka..

Javee · Post by **Javee** » 09 Jan 2015 11:42

...“China would be happier if Rajapaksa came back,” said W.P.S. Sidhu, a senior foreign policy fellow at the Brookings Institution in India who researches geopolitics. “Sirisena would likely backtrack more, especially on the military front, in engaging China. I don’t think he’d pull the plug entirely, but you’d probably see a more tempered approach.”

...Sirisena, 63, defected from Rajapaksa’s camp in November to head an opposition alliance seeking to oust him. In his manifesto, he pledged to establish “equal relations” with India, China, Pakistan and Japan while lambasting projects built with credit from foreign countries, a veiled swipe at China.

...Still, it remains to be seen whether Sirisena’s campaign rhetoric against China will be matched with concrete steps if he takes power. Until two months ago, he had regularly praised China’s role in Sri Lanka’s economic development while serving in Rajapaksa’s cabinet.

“I fail to see any logic in stopping Chinese investment at the door,” said Li Li, a researcher who studies South Asia at the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations in Beijing. “Whoever takes the leadership role in Sri Lanka will not miss the chance to catch the express train of China’s development.”

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2015-01-0 ... votes.html

Javee · Post by **Javee** » 09 Jan 2015 11:52

csaurabh wrote: but get ready for protests along the lines of Aryan India invading Dravidian Sri Lanka..

Err..protests by who? Indian Tamils? Or Singhalese? IT cannot protest now, MS has a clear mandate from both Lankan Tamils and Hill Tamils. Singhalese will oppose tooth and nail because they already think India as a hegemony in the area and our past support to LTTE is not completely forgotten. Srilanka has a lot to gain in terms of trade and tourism, a patient Indian Govt can work with the Srilankans, singhalese in particular to get this plan rolling. This way, there is no need of Sethu Samudram. Already most of our containers from Chennai/Tuticorin/Kochi goes to Colombo on feeder vessels and from there on to Europe and US. A road trip will save atleast 2 days for the shippers.

This is 2 mangoes in one stone, people like Vaiko will not have any more issues in TN and Mahinda is gone, once and for all.

Philip · Post by **Philip** » 09 Jan 2015 12:24

The "Manchurian Candidate" has conceded defeat :
Left his official residence,and reportedly had plans to flee,tkts booked on flights,etc.Last evening the SLA were protecting the official res. Temple Trees,perhaps knowing that his fate was sealed after the v.heavy polling in the island esp. in the north and east.The Tamil/minorities vote has been crucial for MS's victory.Hoepfuly,the "triumvirate" of MS,Ranil and mastermind,Chandrika will be able to bring about significant calm and resolve the contentious issue of devolution in the island and curb the rampant corruption by the Rajapakse "familia" where deals esp with the Chinese have allegedly involved kickbackjs as high as 50% for the familia! A report by a monitoring agency said that the airport expressway,etc. were "4 times the actual cost".This givenormous looting that es an indication of the has been the principal reason for the downfall of Rajapakse and his clan.

The election was fought on the issue of "one family or one country".One must congratulate the enlightened people of Sri Lanka who have most effectively used the ballot instead of the bullet to change their fortune at a most crucial time in their country's history. A deep concern of the wholesale "takeaway' of the island by the Chinese ,as mentioned in the article earlier,"The Manchurian Candidate",where hectares of a new port city to be built in the sea adjacent to Colombo Porto were to be handed over to the PRC for 99 years,was another major concern.Sri Lankans are fiercely independent and Indians must respect their independence.

This augurs very good news for India.Mr.Modi's swift congratulations to Sirisena,the first leader to do so underscores the importance that India pays to Sri Lanka.One expects a smooth relationship between both countries in the future,a major strategic victory for us and an upturned finger to the mandarins of Zhongnanhai!

vishvak · Post by **vishvak** » 09 Jan 2015 17:03

csaurabh wrote: <SNIP>
but get ready for protests along the lines of Aryan India invading Dravidian Sri Lanka..

Hopefully, NRIs won't be affected by such pseudo secular BS passed off as history and then turned into migration and then turned into something else altogether.

habal · Post by **habal** » 09 Jan 2015 17:26

Sri Lanka lacks a neutral civilian authority that supercedes the powers of the president or prime minister or any other executive. Maybe a post like the Lok Ayukta or CDS to devolve presidential powers would better suit Sri Lanka than allow all powers to be vested in one office and then they will go with the flow of majoritarianism which runs amock without a check whenever there is an internal crises.

Sri Lanka would also have been better served if it were a state in the Indian Union or Indian confederation because it achieves the same ends and checks any social waves in favor any single community. Especially considering the fact that they have a poor track record in settling issues peacefully at nascent stage without it growing up into full blown crisis.

schinnas · Post by **schinnas** » 09 Jan 2015 17:55

I couldnt be more happier and there is widespread rejoicing over this election result in TN as well. I have called out the the root cause of SL Tamil issue is lack of true democracy in SL. The new SL president promises to get Ranil (a close friend of India and a leader with true democratic credentials) as the PM and provide true independence to judiciary and police. IF he also makes SL a federal democratic repulic like India, SL Tamil issue can once and for all be solved.

Time to build a road / rail link to SL!

Philip · Post by **Philip** » 09 Jan 2015 18:00

The Sri Lankan ethnic problem is a hangover of colonial era manipulation ,where minorities were used to administer the country keeping the majority community out of govt. and administration.Divide and rule,the typical British strategy.The post-Independence problems arose because the pampered minorities reacted when the pendulum swung back to redress the iniquities that the majority had suffered for at least 200 years. Opportunistic politicians used the divide to further their own interests.After PM SWRD Bandaranaike was assassinated by right-wing Sinhalese in a conspiracy,the demand for mere district autonomy from the Tamil community of the north led by Mr.Chelvanmayagam was forgotten and the "B-C pact" worked out between the two leaders was shelved.

The worst offender was the late pres.Jayawardene,who first sabotaged the B-C Pact by conducting demos against it,and then in desperation to obtain power,promised the moon to the Tamils to get elected,and in the early '80s turned the parliamentary political system into a highly autocratic presidential one .Once in office he happily betrayed the Tamils sabotaging the district council elections in the north in '81 which led to the birth of the Tamil militant movements.These movements were encouraged by firang powers including India after the '83 riots.The rest as they say "is history".

Sri Lankans must sort out their problems themselves.There is no need for Indian "interference",only friendly wise advice.Having suffered 25 years of a bitter,savage civil war,there is little enthusiasm to repeat the mistakes of the past.The key leaders behind today's historic electoral victory for Sirisena,Chandrika and Ranil,were both willing to go the extra mile in resolving the ethnic divide.The fact that they are on the same side today augurs well for the future. What was the underlying factor for the northern rebellion was the lack of job opportunities and decentralized development.Restoring the economy,reconstruction in the north and creating an equitable Lankan society is the task at hand.India can provide much needed assistance in many ways. What could be thought of once again to reassure the majority of Lankans and Indians is dusting off a security pact where both sides undertook not to let their territory to be used by any foreign entity to the detriment of either party.[Ending crony capitalism is the other task that the new incumbent and his ministry must provide for all Lankans,so that everyone benefits from economic growth not just one "familia" ,its cronies and the Chinese!

habal · Post by **habal** » 09 Jan 2015 18:20

there is no deep state in Sri Lanka, some body that can override the powers and eccentricities of any individual president. Such entities are important to maintain larger equilibrium. A National Security Council or something equivalent, but the island is too small for overlapping layers of bureaucracy so a President has it all. And the President is always from one community. Old mistakes are bound to get repeated if external actors would put pressure.

I can assure you that after Rajapakse's China play, the incoming punters would go whole hog towards the USA camp. There is going to be no sense of balance here.

schinnas · Post by **schinnas** » 09 Jan 2015 20:31

habal - Srilanka does not have any decentraliztion of power which is absolutely needed for its multi ethnic, linguistic population to live with liberty and equal rights. Much smaller countries than SL such as Israel have orders of magnitude better democratic processes.

Anyway, it is a a great and auspicious beginning for Sri Lanka. A prosperous, vibrant, harmonious Sri Lanka that is a close ally and partner with India is extremely beneficial to both countries. Congratulations to Indian intelligence agencies for their part in bringing together this effective coalition that could defeat Rajapakse. The new President and his backers such as Ranil and Chandrika are more democratic in their outlook and are friendly and pragmatic in their outlook to India and are well aware of dangers of Chinese embrace.

Tuvaluan · Post by **Tuvaluan** » 09 Jan 2015 20:49

schinnas, any evidence for your claim that Indian intelligence interfering with SL elections. Indian govt. does not have a history of meddling in the democratic processes of neighbouring countries. This election was called only because Rajapakse's astrologer told him the time was auspicious (and how right he was, eh?) and India has little to zero clout with the SL govt. for the most part, AFAICT.

nandakumar · Post by **nandakumar** » 09 Jan 2015 21:10

Sachin
To be accurate, the original composition was of Subramanya Bharati. It was used in the film Kappalottiya Tamizhan. The lyrics were credited to Kannadasan, tamil film lyricist. Those were the days when lyricists freely copied from Bharati's songs. There was nobody from the family to lay claim to his works. Of course much later his works were declared as national treasure and some honorarium was paid to his family. So anybody can freely lift lines from his poems now and no questions would be asked!

nandakumar · Post by **nandakumar** » 09 Jan 2015 21:28

I know this is getting a little off track. But I am a passionate fan of Bharati's songs. So pl permit me this indulgence. The man was so greedy of linking Sri Lanka with the Indian sub continent his earler line in the poem went like this: 'Singala theevinurkor Palam amaippom' . Translated, " Let us build a bridge to Sri Lanka". In other words, he not only wanted the Rama Sethu to be raised as a bund that would form an earthen link to connect Sri Lanka but additionally wanted a bridge as well. May be he was thinking of a bridge that would connect a point South of Rameswaram with the Sri Lankan mainland.

Comer · Post by **Comer** » 09 Jan 2015 21:35

habal wrote: Sri Lanka would also have been better served if it were a state in the Indian Union or Indian confederation because it achieves the same ends and checks any social waves in favor any single community. Especially considering the fact that they have a poor track record in settling issues peacefully at nascent stage without it growing up into full blown crisis.

We need not work towards them being a part of Indian Union. But under the fold of Pax Indica. Let the Pakis be in the tent. But the rest of the SAARC nations should be encouraged to flourish independently but in our sphere of influence which no external country trespassing.

Tuvaluan · Post by **Tuvaluan** » 09 Jan 2015 21:41

May be he was thinking of a bridge that would connect a point South of Rameswaram with the Sri Lankan mainland.

Nandakumar, how exactly is this greed? This will allow far deeper people-to-people contacts between India and sri lanka and allow trade to flourish with this land line, which is why I mentioned this earlier as a idea whose time has come. Why do you believe this is such a terrible and greedy idea? Just curious.

sivab · Post by **sivab** » 09 Jan 2015 22:34

Tuvaluan wrote:how exactly is this greed?

Probably mistranslated "perasai/peria asai" to greed instead of big wish/desire.

Tuvaluan · Post by **Tuvaluan** » 09 Jan 2015 22:38

sivab, but then "perasai perunashtam" isn't it? I guess this could just be an ambigious word...tamil was never my strong point in school.

Comer · Post by **Comer** » 09 Jan 2015 22:40

I think he meant ambitious/audacious thinking as opposed to greed.

Tuvaluan · Post by **Tuvaluan** » 09 Jan 2015 22:43

Thanks, saravana and sivab. I will update the tamil dictionary in my head.

mini rant: Tamil really needs new words to describe these different concepts, this is kind of ambiguity in a language indicates that it is pretty crude as it lays the field open for miscommunication and misinterpretation.

Comer · Post by **Comer** » 09 Jan 2015 22:47

^^ Nope, you got it right. I am assuming a mistranslation by nandakumar!
As you said, it could be due to a lack of an exact word for ambitious in Tamil.

Theeran · Post by **Theeran** » 09 Jan 2015 22:53

Tuvaluan I don't think there is any ambiguity when you write the words in Tamil. Ofcourse meanings could be lost in translation. PErAasai and Peria Aasai express totally different thoughts and meaning.

Edit: Nandakumar could have meant Bharathi was passionate about the link to SriLanka.
Edit2: Isn't இலட்சியம் = Ambitious? e.g. வாழ்கையில் ஒரு இலட்சியம் தேவை

shyam · Post by **shyam** » 09 Jan 2015 23:29

Isn't இலட்சியம் = Ambitious? e.g. வாழ்கையில் ஒரு இலட்சியம் தேவை

இலட்சியம் - literal pronunciation is ilatchiyam (spoken as lachyam) is Tamizh form of Sanskrit word Lakshyam / Lakshya which means goal and not ambition.

The translation of the sentence is "there should be a goal in life". People say, you can be ambitious but not too ambitious, which can cause your down fall.

Theeran · Post by **Theeran** » 10 Jan 2015 00:47

I don't want to derail the thread. is there a thread to discuss Tamil?

chetak · Post by **chetak** » 10 Jan 2015 00:53

Nothing much is going to change with the new dispensation.

The cries for the international inquiry will only become louder and the lankans cannot afford that inquiry.

The lankan tamils will remain where they are, as they have done for all these decades past.

India will build more houses and stuff.

The basic lankan character has not changed, only the govt has.

schinnas · Post by **schinnas** » 10 Jan 2015 01:03

Tuvaluan wrote:schinnas, any evidence for your claim that Indian intelligence interfering with SL elections. Indian govt. does not have a history of meddling in the democratic processes of neighbouring countries. This election was called only because Rajapakse's astrologer told him the time was auspicious (and how right he was, eh?) and India has little to zero clout with the SL govt. for the most part, AFAICT.

Yes.. not all details need to be discussed in public. May be it was an act of God.. either way I welcome the outcome

Tuvaluan · Post by **Tuvaluan** » 10 Jan 2015 01:08

schinnas, I will go with "act of god" --- our super friend in the sky is working hard clearly.

ramana · Post by **ramana** » 10 Jan 2015 02:18

Nightwatch

http://www.kforcegov.com/Services/IS/Ni ... 00005.aspx

Looks like SL election had quite a few watchers!!!!

Sri Lanka: President Mahinda Rajapaksa conceded defeat early on 9 January after election returns showed that the opposition candidate would achieve a clear majority in first round voting. Sri Lanka's next President will be Maithripala Sirisena, the former Health Minister in Rajapaksa's government. Rajapaksa promised a smooth transition.

http://www.kforcegov.com/NightWatch/New ... mage2.jpeg

Comment: Rajapaksa seemed assured of an easy victory in November when he called for snap elections. His six year term of office still had two more years. His loss is the result of his own political miscalculations.

The high voter turnout among Sri Lanka's minorities - especially the Tamils - helped swing the outcome in Sirisena's favor. The election occurred with no major incidents, which surprised some observers because Sri Lankan elections usually feature significant violence and killings. Only one death related to election violence was reported.

The larger significance of the vote is difficult to judge because Sirisena had support from the establishment Sinhalese political elite, including the Bandaranayke family. His election is more of a restoration than a revolution. Most analysts said he did not court the minorities, but ran mostly against corruption and Rajapaksa's increased authoritarian practices, six years after the end of the civil war. His strong arm tactics reportedly disaffected the old Sinhalese political families.

The high Tamil turnout suggests Indian interests, especially in India's Tamil Nadu State across the Palk Strait, preferred Sirisena over Rajapaksa. Indian relations should improve.

Chinese interests will suffer a setback. Under Rajapaksa, Chinese investments flourished and presence expanded. They made his family and cronies rich. Sirisena has vowed to re-examine relations with China, especially the Chinese project to expand Colombo port, where a Chinese submarine docked without warning last September.

Rajapaksa followers dominate parliament and would block Sirisena's initiatives. That is why he announced that he will dissolve parliament in the next 100 days and call for new elections aimed at restoring parliamentary government. Some analysts predict violent protests. The peaceful conduct of the election is a positive sign, but police will remain on alert.