Columns

The recently passed USD 900 billion COVID -19 aid bill at US Congress showed how geopolitics works when it comes to Sri Lanka, located strategically in the Indian ocean making it an unavoidable player in the Indo-Pacfic policy of the US government.

There were no sugarcoating diplomatic words if Sri Lanka is to be eligible for any US assistance. It was very clear what was expected from us. The bill said funds may be made available if only, the US Secretary of State certified that “Sri Lanka asserts its sovereignty against influence by the People’s Republic of China and promote reconciliation between ethnic and religious groups particularly arising from past conflict,”

The aid also comes with other strings attached such as; investigating violations of human rights and holding perpetrators of such violations accountable; addressing land confiscation and ownership issues; resolving cases of missing persons and reducing the presence of the armed forces in former conflict zones etc.

On the front of International Security Assistance, USD 15 million is to be allocated for the refurbishing of a high endurance cutter and USD 500,000 for maritime related professional security training and awareness programmes.

US Republican lawmakers ridiculed the 5600 page bill which they claimed was prepared in secret and made public only six hours before voting. They also alleged that the bill was prepared under the guise of COVID-19 aid for other countries but it only authorized USD 600 as direct stimulus payment to most Americans who have been affected by the global pandemic.

U.S. Senator for Kentucky Rand Paul took the matter to Twitter to list out what ‘benefits’ are handed out to other nations in the bill while Americans are left with only USD 600. His list starts with Sri Lanka saying-”USD15 million to buy high speed boats for Sri Lanka”,

“USD 130 million to promote democracy in Nepal. USD 15 million to promote it in Pakistan. Interesting, since we can’t even seem to validate mail in ballots in the United States properly.”

“USD 33 billion to promote Democracy in Venezuela. That seems to be going well so far.”

“OH WAIT I FOUND IT. We are going to promote Democracy in America with USD 132 million in “assistance for GEORGIA.” No, wait, that’s the former Soviet Republic, never mind.” Senator Paul said.

Welcome to Sri Lanka, a land truly like no other!

Netizens are unique when it comes to taking matters to digital space with their creative memes and posts commenting on issues related to social issues, government policies etc.

This week, the focus was on “ Sri Lanka welcomed COVID-19 virus from abroad at the airport with a grand welcoming ceremony” referring to six Ukrainian tourists being tested positive shortly after arriving in Colombo on Monday. One meme declared- Sri Lanka is the only country in the world to do so while drawing an example of even neighboring India closing its gate for tourists till January 31.

Another meme took the matter to the next level recommending ‘foreign tourists should be given the infamous locally made ‘ayurvedic tonic-paniya’ at the airport since we are a long time away from receiving the COVID-19 vaccines anytime soon.

US, Maldives hold bilateral talks following trilateral talks in Colombo

The United States and the Maldives will conduct defence talks next week.

The move comes after the two countries signed a defence co-operation agreement in Washington DC weeks earlier.

The United States delegation to the talks is to be led by Anthony Tata, acting Under Secretary for US Defence Policy. It will also include US Ambassador to Sri Lanka and the Maldives, Allaina B. Teplitz and officials of the Defence Section of the US Embassy in Colombo.

Last month, Colombo became the venue for tri-lateral talks including defence matters between Sri Lanka, Maldives, and India.

Ruwan Wanigasuriya gets plum position

Major General Ruwan Wanigasuriya has assumed duties as the Chief of National Intelligence (CNI), the topmost position in Sri Lanka’s intelligence community.

His recent stints included service as Security Forces Commander, Jaffna.

Another Waallooppillai makes a name, this time in queen’s country

Among those winning the Queen’s OBE awards this year was Conservative Party Advisor. Gaj Wallooppillai.

He began his career working for Conservative Party and former Foreign Secretary Sir Malcolm Rifkind.

The Wallooppillai Family is one of the old Tamil families and is a household name in Colombo after the famous Dr Wallooppillai, Sri Lanka’s leading cardiologist. (See others on ST2 Page 6)

Borrowing a leaf from Black Lives Matter

A Sri Lankan Muslim group lobbying in London for burials of Covid-19 victims of their faith have borrowed a leaf from the black community in the United States.

Their slogan – Sri Lankan Muslim Lives matter. This is much the same way the black community said Black Lives Matter.

Rivalry overtakes brotherhood unity

The moral of this story is how important political rivalry is than unity in the brotherhood.

In a Muslim area, not far from Colombo, the wife of a businessman died. They said it was old age. A ruling party politico helped and the burial ceremonies were held within hours.

The matter did not end there. The rival of the politico, also from the same community, was miffed that everything ended soon. He ensured there were complaints to the authorities.

The result – Police have begun a probe into the matter. Health officials say they had in the meanwhile conducted a check on the household of the deceased and found two suspected cases of coronavirus.

The probe goes on. So does the rivalry which has now reached newer heights.

More bickering, more losses for TNA

This week the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) lost control of two local bodies including the Jaffna Municipal Council (JMC) to rival parties due to internal strifes. Party insiders blamed that the puppeteer behind the curtains is none other than party spokesperson M.A. Sumanthiran who they say pulled the strings accordingly.

Since the budget was defeated twice, previous Mayor E. Arnold was removed and fresh elections were held on Thursday. Earlier, Mr Arnold was recommended to the post by the TNA spokesperson himself but he was out of league after he sat on the Mayoral chair.

Meanwhile, another rival party Tamil National Alliance (TNPF) led by Kajendrakumar Ponnambalam also threw out JMC Councilor V.Manivannan soon after the polls citing he was no longer truthful to party principles. Councilor Manivannan secured youth votes for the party as he had a significant young voter base.

Mr Manvannan was prevented from attending Council sessions through a Court order over a legal dispute of his eligibility to contest elections. A resident of JMC filed a petition questioning his eligibility to be elected alleging he was not a resident within the municipal limits. TNA spokesperson was the lawyer representing the petitioner.

After he was thrown out of the party, Mr Manivannan was seen working with MP Sumanthiran as part of a lawyers group to appear in public litigation cases.

On Thursday, Mr Manivannan won by one vote. He secured 21 votes while ex Mayor Arnold who was nominated by the party again received one less. One TNA councilor abstained from voting, to ensure Manivann won the Mayoral seat. Sumanthiran MP visited his residence the following night after party supporters were up in arms saying the party will lose the Mayor post due to petty politics played by its leaders. As they say, in politics there are no permanent friends or foes but only permanent interests.