Kalutara was a golden flower in country’s economic fabric brighter than Colombo a century before colonization. Beruwala had the capacity to receive world’s first ‘Blue Navy’ under Admiral Zheng He of China. From there spices, gems & Elephants etc. were exported to global markets. Tunisian traders operating in the island off Beruwala & many facts are recorded in ‘Selalihini Sandeshaya’. Beruwala still has roads & villages indicating the Chinese link. During colonial rule, local traders settled along the coast & 100 plus colonial era mansions in Panadura indicate the trade surplus. Arthur De Silva Wijesinghe resided at the ‘Richmond Castle’ impressing his in-laws from Panadura. The centre road at Kalutara town introduced by Cholomondeley Goonewardene (MP of the first Parliament & Minister of Public Works) was the first Sri Lankan experience of express ways.  Sir Cyril De Zoysa re-invested trade surplus from transport in the human resources in Kalutara & his iconic sthupa indicate the influence of Buddhism. Though there’s no involvement of monks in managing the Kalutara Bodhi Trust, monks of Kalutara have historically been socio-politically active. Veedagama Maithree who crafted to replace Alakeswara of Bandaragama with his nephew was the most notable. Hence, Kalutara has been influencing national politics ever since. Ex Minister Rohitha Abeygunawardena, MP of Kalutara celebrated his 27^th year in politics & compared it to a century. Being a historic showpiece of ethnic & religious harmony which contributed to economic prosperity, Kalutara witnessed political harmony at Rohitha’s 27^th. Despite different views, the event may have given space to ever conflicting Sri Lankans to think of the value of uniting for national economic development. Its proximity to Colombo, Galle & Hambantota ports via rail & expressway connectivity, can make Kalutara once again an economic miracle in the coming centuries. It has a huge potential to repeat history & benefit from China’s Belt & Road. At the event Rohitha’s bond with grass roots & ground reality was valued. The Hainan Province in China is a real world example people & politicians of Kalutara can study to accelerate contribution to national development.

Ground reality in Hainan

Since 2020 Hainan in South China has been making solid progress in building a high-level Free Trade Port. By December 2022, China's first business environment construction department was inaugurated in Hainan. The credit system it introduced lights up the "traffic light" in government services from project approval, enterprise supervision to protecting the rights & interests of investors. Hainan stats indicate a 50% reduction in approval time for construction projects since 2022. By the end of Q1 of 2024, investor entities have increased by 322% since 2019. Hainan’s global invitation to free trade zones (FTZs) in 2023 has so far attracted 34 FTZs from all parts of the world. Since 2013 China has reduced its investor negative list from 190 to 27. Hainan government recently inaugurated the 5200 meter deep geothermal well to source clean energy to cater to its expanding needs. The 108 meter tall ‘Bodhisatva Guanyin’ statue at Sanya port is taller than the statue of liberty at the NY harbour, USA. It is witnessing how the Chinese are attracting economic prosperity to the predominantly ‘Theravada Buddhist’ island. The Kalutara sthupa would also witness people of Kalutara attracting prosperity to the country as in 1400s if they act accordingly. They can then stand up to say “we are neither indebted nor afraid” (Api Nayath nehe, Bayath nehe).

(Views expressed are personal).