The UNP government of 1977 of Prime Minister JRJ (post colonial 1^st generation leader) received a 5/6^th majority in parliament. He introduced the Presidential system in 1978 to develop the economy as he believed that Sri Lanka’s geographic position shall boost it further. As President he held; defense, power & energy, higher education & plan implementation portfolios (in addition to few plantation entities). Those ministries indicate strategic points that could have affected national stability 46 years ago. With a steam roller stability in parliament he focused on economic liberalization but external forces reversed the effort with violent conflicts using internal weaknesses.

The 2^nd generation.

His successor Premadasa (2^nd generation) tried revamping the economy for 52 months with apparel industry etc. but was tragically ended. After a 15 year near death struggles by two (3^rd generation) leaders, economic stability was felt in 2010. Despite a strong parliament & FDIs such as Colombo Port City etc. (which came with China’s Belt & Road Initiative - BRI) economy reversed & external elements were mentioned. In 2020 the fourth leader from the 3^rd generation with a strong parliament attempted economic revamping & failed within 24 months again due to internal weaknesses. During that government attention fell on ‘Digital Economics’ resulting in creating a focused ministry.

The 4^th generation.

November 18, 2024 government gazette indicates that ‘Digital Economy’ ministry shall be under the President (first 4^th generation leader) who is backed by a strong parliament. Looking back at JRJ’s portfolios, it indicates how ‘Digital Economy’ is strategic for economic & national stability. Infrastructure with 5^th generation (5G) technology etc. is mandatory to make it a reality. Global 5G coverage will reach 58% in 2025 (Ref. Huawei). 5G licenses can be auctioned to the highest bidders to expand the network while earning foreign currency. Lessons can be learned from neighbors Bangladesh & Maldives & China which is moving towards 6G.

China’s 5th generation.

In 2019 China issued its first batch of 5G licenses. By 2023, 90% of the villages in China had 5G access integrating industry, agriculture, tourism, power, mining, healthcare, education & even human elephant conflict management etc. Last week China initiated a program to advance the integrated application of ‘5G +’ industrial internet in 10 cities including Nanjing, Wuhan, Qingdao & seven others aiming high quality technological development (Ref. MIIT). While 5G operates with neutrinos above earth’s surface, China is also utilizing neutrinos underground for economic expansions.

Veyangoda treasure & Jiangmen Underground.  

For the first time in Sri Lanka an official treasure hunt was reported at Veyangoda (Ref. Media). One may argue on the man hours & the public funds spent but it can be seen positive as it enables to complete the Central expressway without further delays. While Sri Lankans were digging 20 meters at Veyangoda, the Jiangmen Underground Neutrino Observatory to study neutrinos commenced operation in Jiangmen in November 2024. It’s the world's largest transparent spherical detector 700 meters underground in the city of Jiangmen. It has the capacity to capture elusive neutrinos (AKA ghost particles). The 12 story tall acrylic sphere with a diameter of 35.4M is expected to expand human understanding of the universe (Ref Jiangmen media).

Z - Generation can expand 5G.

SpaceX is an option for digital expansions since the 3^rd generation leadership linked Sri Lanka to it. SpaceX launched 24 Starlink satellites last Thursday from Cape Canaveral & is expected to deliver high speed broadband internet to locations with less access (Ref. SpaceX). Indian companies are another option. Chinese companies (working with more than 140 BRI partners including Saudi Arabia using Huawei on the recommendation of MIT, USA) are also available for Sri Lanka to expand 5G. Sri Lanka’s location is becoming important with Indo Pacific interests & the Belt & Road Initiative (BRI) linking China with the world. Therefore, 5G may be expanded in transparent lawful ways to benefit Sri Lankan Digital Economy. Whenever a strong government attempted stabilizing the economy, never imagined obstacles have reversed it so far. Concerned should be cautious.

(Photo: Jiangmen Underground Neutrino Observatory- source Chinese Media)

(Views expressed are personal).