Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi who is leading the Indian economic expansion is expected to visit Sri Lanka in April. He is likely to discuss issues including connectivity & economic ties with Sri Lankan counterparts. According to legend, Prince Rama connected the two countries to send Monkeys to create chaos & conflict. To mitigate similar situations due to Monkeys, the Sri Lankan government is expected to carry out a census in mid March to determine the Monkey population. It is believed to be the first step to prevent conflicts related to crop damage caused especially by Monkeys (Ref. Media).

Peaceful, unarmed, grass root Sri Lankans, since 1948 has seen fellow countrymen from all ethnicities & political affiliations igniting conflicts resulting in mass murder, arson, intimidation & even damaging public property resulting in economic destruction which came to a peak in 2022. Due to the deep rooted cultural beliefs & the influence of Buddhism, the silent majority might question the upbringing or the birth qualities (Jaathakaya) of such violent individuals. Historically, the silent majority may have used "Birth-Related" (Jaathaka) stories of the Buddha (in human or animal form) which explains the previous births of the Buddha as a ‘Human Resources’ development tool to rehabilitate violent humans & prevent conflicts. One such is the ‘Nalapaana Jaathakaya’.

Monkey wisdom

The wise lead Monkey in ‘Nalapaana Jaathakaya’ is well known & one might think that Monkeys causing crop damage are practicing such leadership qualities to protect their herds. The story explains how the Buddha born as leader of a herd of monkeys protects its herd by using hollow reeds as straws to drink water from a pond haunted by an ogre. As per the story he has been very strict on his heard eating or drinking at strange places without his consent. On a similar note President Trump recently signed an executive order to push away paper straws & start reusing plastic straws. Despite arguments on its impact on the climate, President Trump’s economy focused moves are praised by some while others compare it to protecting a tree by giving up a forest.

Lessons from Africa

Meanwhile in Africa, Bamboos (which are somewhat similar to hollow reads or straws) are used by Kenyan agronomists who work with Chinese agronomists to reduce natural conflicts in the "Ecosystem Restoration for Enhancing Livelihoods & Addressing Climate Change: China Kenya Cooperation on Bamboo Technology Transfer" project. It is implemented in collaboration with the United Nations Environment Program's affiliated International Ecosystem Management Partnership (UNEP-IEMP). In Kenya's Nzoia River basin, Bamboo is proving to be a game changer in flood control & ecosystem restoration.

Kenya which is an active partner of the Belt & Road Initiative is using ‘China Kenya’ relations to transfer Bamboo technology & skills to educate local communities in using Bamboo's deep roots to; prevent soil erosion, reduce floodwater speed, enhancing climate resilience & food security resulting in improved local livelihoods (Ref. Media).

Wise Monkeys aren’t ‘Orang Utangs’

One may compare Sri Lankans to the Monkeys of the ‘Nalapaana Jaathaka’ as they sacrificed since the 2022 crash to fix economic issues with measures such as the fuel QR code which was introduced in 2023 August. Still they should go a long way to be economically sound. Many lessons can be learned from the Indians, Kenyans, Americans & the Chinese who operates the BRI that brings in never before opportunities. If Sri Lankans restructure the national economy with proper plans they will be able to come out of the crisis jungle. As per Sri Lanka Malay Dictionary (Saldin & Lim) 2007, Orang Utan is the man in the forest. Orang Utang is man in debt. Orang Derras is a disciplinarian. Sri Lankans should discipline themselves to come out of the jungle of debts.

"An American monkey, after getting drunk on brandy, would never touch it again, and thus is much wiser than most men." Charles Darwin

(Views expressed are personal. Photo: Hanuman leaving after acts of Arson/ source www).