On 23^rd February 1940 Woody Guthrie first composed the folk song “This land is your land - this land is my land - from California – to the New York island” (Ref. US history). Though he says such, the Red Indians may argue that it belonged only to them from times immemorial prior to colonization. It is believed that Chinese Admiral Zheng He visited the Americas nearly a century before Columbus (in a fleet of 300 ships with approx 20,000 naval commandos) but never tried colonizing as it wasn’t their policy. Western colonization attracted people from Europe, Asia & Africa (apart from those taken as slaves) to the land of the Red Indians who established the USA. Among them were the Indians from South Asia & professionals of Indian origins are running some of the key establishments in the USA at present.

Minister Harin Fernando after his recent speech on Indo Lanka relations is being criticized by many. Among them are those who make offerings to Indian philosopher ‘Buddha’ on a daily basis. Buddha visiting SL & assigning locations for future projects is considered sacred. Prince Vijaya establishing settlements named after his men & Emperor Ashoka deploying professionals (from 64 walks of life) along with his son & daughter to put systems in place indicates a complicated bond SL would not be able to live without (Ref. Mahavansa). Trincomalee Oil tanks & Northern Power plants may be read between the lines. Those concerned should study the conflict prevention skills of the Japanese in Okinawa & people in Mauritius (near Diego Garcia) as they work with US forces on their lands. Conflict prevention skills of the Spanish living near the British in Gibraltar are worth reading. However, becoming more global may reduce regional impacts on SL.

Those worried on Harin’s speech should more seriously worry on putting the country on track by restructuring the economy. Harin’s statistics on tourism indicate a positive growth. Average citizen should join to accelerate the growth as they themselves created the crisis being selfish as individuals & not being selfish as a society during the past 75 years.

Civil unrests

As per latest media reports Chief Prelates of the three Buddhist chapters have written to the President warning of civil unrest that can arise due to privatizing national assets. It may be those making money using state owned label planning the unrests. If not, it is a good opportunity to analyze the need to reduce waste & increase efficiency in state enterprises. There can be entities which are technically making profit but which can make much more if properly managed. The civil society should monitor & discourage Russian style privatizations (after the fall of USSR) but progressive changes should be supported as it would create a surplus & reduce cost of living. FDIs from any source would be encouraging & if rejected those may flow into Africa or the Solomon Islands etc.

In his song Woody sees ‘endless skyways above & the golden valley below’. Sri Lankans should be trained to carefully grab all fair trading opportunities that come their way including the FDIs from the Belt & Road Initiative. President Ranil’s advice to students of Ananda College months ago to go global is an effective crisis recovery method & contributing to renovate the conflict hit Gaza is a latest opportunity for SL human resource.

Being 30 KM away from India, Buddhist philosophy received from India should be used to ensure sustainable development & peace. In that effort China will be indispensable. Chinese poet Su Tung-Po’s lines below gives space to all including those planning civil unrests & those concerned about future generations to think.

What is our life on Earth?

A flock of migrating Geese

Rest for a moment on snow,

Leave the print of their claws

And fly away, some East, some West.

(Views expressed are personal).