By Prof. Samitha Hettige

The Sri Lanka Army celebrated its 73^rd anniversary on 10^th October. Throughout the years the SLA as an organization has acted for the good of the country. Fidel Castro of Cuba blamed the one who fires the first shot for the destruction caused in a conflict. SL security analysts since 1948 may agree that the SLA never fired the first shot in the conflicts it got involved to resolve. Indian Armed forces propaganda indicates that they are the foundation of stable economic growth in India. The role of SL armed forces on the same task in SL is being highlighted more. Several powerful defense forces including the US, British, Indian and Chinese supported SLA during its 73 years. Indian and British forces even exercised ground control in SL and parts of it during their occupations before, during and after colonization.

The PLA of China

The Peoples Liberation Army of China also provides organizational development support to SLA since 1949. All weapons PLA possessed in 1949 were made in other countries. By 2019 Chinese forces were on par with other elite world defense forces armed with all weapons made in China. The PLA while ensuring stability within China ensures world peace as one of the biggest contributors to UN peacekeeping. Including the contributions to the UN, China's defense budget in 2022 is approx 230 billion USD (7.1% YOY increase against 2021). What is noteworthy is that although China is the world's second largest economy, its defense budget is comparatively low in terms of a GDP%.

Although China doesn’t talk of Millennium challenges it seems to be practically helping mankind to face any challenge. Chinese defense budget is 1.7% of the GDP but in comparison; Saudi Arabia (8.4%), USA (3.7%), India (2.9%) and UK (2.2%) spends on defense respectively (Ref. Stockholm International Peace Research Institute). China managed to eradicate poverty in 2020 by reinvesting its wealth in its population which is approx 400% of the population of USA. Still China spends only 25% of what USA is spending on defense (Chinese sources).

Millennium Challenge

Therefore development analysts may reanalyze the reality, efficiency and impact of development assistance provided by the USA and its allies to people of other countries especially considered as partners in facing the Millennium Challenges. They may read the white paper titled “China's National Defense in the New Era” released in July 2019. It basically gives a clear picture of China’s strategic path along peaceful development, independent foreign policy, promoting culture for peace and harmony as fundamentals for a safer world.

SL should work with all development partners to utilize the aid without delay to ensure stable economic growth as its at an opportunity position to learn from the past and plan with a Business Management focus (even on charitable activity). An efficient tax system will help and the responsibility of implementing it will largely fall on the citizen than the corporates. Individuals should get educated on tax money and can prevent loop holes by demanding details of tax paid from all goods and services obtained. Sri Lankans will see many extremist elements coming out with sheep skins at a time like this trying to prevent progressive moves. People should start looking at public administration without race or religious shades on. It will be useful if they refresh memories on the sufferings during the conflicts in 1971, 1983, 1987 etc. If the state is strong, it will prevent future conflicts and ensure stability.

(Writer is an academic and a broadcaster, views expressed is personal and may not necessarily be the views of his affiliations).