By Mahika Ming

PM Sirima (1970 – 77) was globetrotting while the masses were suffering, thus planted her own “political jungle” and stayed there in till 1989. President JR had a steam roller majority (with undated letters of resignation from MPs) since 1978 when India moved in to help SL 10 years later with their Army. Reports on a plan to explode the drainage and sewer system in Colombo if JR didn’t listen also surfaced later. If so, Colombo public would have moved JR into the Arab jungle. President Premadasa however, established his control in the south, managed chaos and conflict enabling civilians to switch on electric bulbs without being shot dead by the JVP. Former US president Bill Clinton said “No one is in control” while visiting SL after Tsunami waves referring to Mother Nature. President Chandrika was in France on vacation and her PM Mahinda had to help all districts instead of only helping Hambantota. He went on to be the President and ensured his control in all parts of the country by ending the violent conflict ushering an era of unprecedented development. President Sirisena was testing his controls as PM Ranil was not in control. The JVP calls them the “remote control”. Video depicting its leader AKD talking to violent demonstrators who wanted all 225 out while a lead protestor was getting into Anura’s vehicle through the back door proves the theory.

Lessons from Japanese Easter Bombs (80^th anniversary)!

In a parliamentary democracy the three main tools are the executive, legislature and the judiciary. PM Imran Khan worked closely with Russia and more with China to develop Pakistan along the Economic Corridor.  He lost control due to decisions by the legislature powered by the judiciary. As they think China is an all weather friend, Imran’s successor will have to be more analytical on how tools of democracy can be used to topple development drives especially connected to China’s BRI. China’s top diplomat Wang Yi insisted Afghan government to get diplomatic recognition. Afghan rulers should take Chinese advice seriously unless they wish to prove former occupier USA accurate on Afghanistan being a failed state. US assistant secretary Nuland who some believe is an expert on failed states was in the region having chats with selected civil society groups. Since then SL is also experiencing new trends with the tools. Indian top diplomat Jaishankar was disturbed to see the situation at Peradeniya hospital. SL should be thankful to India for funding emergency supplies as it will take time for SL to bring their savings from Uganda etc. to fix its economy. Chinese debt trap is a hot topic among critiques. Citizens should know that the top lenders to SL so far are the IMF, World Bank and the West. Then ADB followed by Japan. China is the fourth highest. President JR considered an old fox managed to get Japan pardoned at San Francisco after WWII and got the best from Japan (3^rd highest lender) who bombed the Mental hospital at Mulleriyawa on an Easter Sunday 80 years ago in 1942. SL may try same with those who bombed three years ago and get the wealth by way of deception!

Wise sister calculate fate?

While India looked into the Peradeniya hospital, at the temple of the tooth, Indi Raja gifted by the late Rajiv Gandhi is to be in control of transport of the tooth relic. Offerings to the tooth relic by Emperor Ming of great China were recorded on the trilingual plaque seven hundred years back. Although offerings were made to respect the Buddha and the Lankan culture, China has historically proven that only hard work can take a country forward and occupying intensions have never been the agenda. However, Chinese fortune telling, known as (Suan ming) 'fate calculating' has been part of Chinese culture for centuries. Ancient chronicles indicates that ancient rulers used them for achieving political and personal goals. Some view that it will be better if India take control of SL since they can ensure continuous supply of fuel, medicine and food etc. SL may have felt same when Indian horse traders “Sena” and “Guththika” offered transport the elite in the Anuradhapura kingdom. In the same city people witnessed protests near the wise lady’s residence. SL leaders are seen going to Indian shrines also seeking advice and blessings. They may get better advice from Chinese economists as they believe in hard work instead of “Suan ming”.

Tools of democracy

SL is in rough waters and if the economy is further mismanaged SL will not even have “Gnanakatha” to enjoy.  Historic friends like China and Russia have helped Sri Lanka to learn how to use the fishing rod. SL was able to catch fish when hungry thanks to those trainings. The USSR donated many factories which were privatized in the early 1990s during and after President Premadasa. It was known as “Janatha Karanaya”. Since 1949 China has donated more than 100 development projects providing employment to hundreds of thousands of Sri Lankans. During the pandemic they; gifted three million doses of COVID vaccines (life to more than 1.5 million Sri Lankans), gave more than 2.8 billion USD facilities and 2.1 billion USD FDIs. More than 11,000 Sri Lankans and their families survived working for Chinese organizations within SL. Many crisis affected countries have worked with China and recovered fast. It’s the best option for SL but the tools of democracy should be handled with care as undersecretary Nuland was around. Wise brothers experienced it since 2006 after every budget speech in parliament.  The nice who wish to replace should know that.

Photo: President JRJ (as Finance Minister) addressing the San Francisco summit.

The writer is an analyst with interests in the financial and sustainable development sectors with postgraduate exposure in the Far East (mahika.ming@gmail.com).