SL is in a serious economic crisis & it’s a rare opportunity. Typical Sri Lankans may think that the leadership and the population should be always divided. May be it is a result of downloading the West Minister system from above. Most thriving civilisations which didn’t limit its mindset to above including Indian and Chinese are expanding at unprecedented rates. SL should use the cascading economies of both India & China for its benefit. Public should be cautious on the persuasions by short sighted & selfish. It is not a secret that mismanaging the welfare government and ignorance of checks and balances reduced the country to this level. Historically, third parties have intervened whenever the country came low. Hence, it’s important for leaders and the population to work as one.

Chanakya’s Advice

Chanakya was the man who advised the Maurya rulers to over throw king Nanda when his kingdom became weak as a result following a path somewhat similar to the path SL followed during the past few decades. Chanakya guided the establishment of the Maurya Empire which existed for nearly nine generations. Great Emperor Asoka who strategically helped Sri Lanka to be a nation of high standards was the most prominent personality. Asoka united larger parts of India but couldn’t get the Chola regions. Maurya and Chola kingdoms traded in large volumes with great China along the Silk Road (Ref Indian & Chinese records). In the 21^st century India & China continue to be very strong trading partners (approx 100 billion USD p.a.). If legendary Chanakya was alive he would advise the Indian rulers to strengthen Indo China relations further when President Xi Jinping visited India after launching the Colombo Port City in 2014 and when he met Indian PM in Chennai before visiting Nepal few years later. Chinese records indicate that 700 years back Admiral Zheng He was trading in high volumes with Calicut in India. Although his brief stopovers have made a significant impact on Sri Lankan civilization, historic records very clearly states that the Chinese Admiral was much more focused on Indian trade rather than clashing with Alakeswara at Beruwala.

How can China create employment in SL?

Some are questioning why China is not creating employment in SL. Chinese organizations in SL did not lay off any employees during the lockdown and ensured stable direct employment with fair wages to more than 11,000 Sri Lankans. Post 1949 Chinese investments in SL have created employment for approx 1,000,000. Sri Lankans in various sectors (including Port City, Shangri La, construction industry, Hambantota & Colombo ports, Highways, Norochcholai, Moragahakanda, Kidney hospital at Polonnaruwa etc). Indian organizations have also generated employment thru; northern railway reconstruction, IOC and port management etc. Whether its Chinese, Indian or any other investor, SL workforce should be skilled and disciplined and SL state should create an investor friendly environment to attract investors. Raising voices challenging investors will result in the opposite. SL citizens should analyze carefully of the end result of generating violence when attracting investors. Top priority for SL as of now is to invite the Sri Lankans who left SL due to the conflict. The Tamil Diaspora should be invited and given more facilities, protection and tax holidays than other investors. It will send the best message to the world about SL. In a recent publication by Johns Hopkins (sais-cari) the US based institution clears the fears on the Chinese debt trap.   SL surpassed the borrowings from China and borrowed more from India to come out of the crisis. Does that mean we are trapped by India? India also has a wider market than the small SL market. Only way out is smart brains leading hard working people.

We should not fret for what is past, nor should we be anxious about the future; men of discernment deal only with the present moment - Chanakya

(Writer is an academic & a broadcaster. Views expressed are personal)