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As the oldest surviving democracy in Asia, history will judge Sri Lanka’s stand of the ‘middle path’ on the Eastern European conflict. The conflict saw Russia invading Ukraine–a sovereign, democratic nation represented at the United Nations.

Sri Lanka came under severe criticism both locally and abroad after it abstained when the historic UN Resolution backed by Western countries titled “Aggression against Ukraine” demanded an immediate halt to the offensive and the withdrawal of all Russian troops.

It all made sense when the news broke that the country requested a US$ 300 million Russian credit line to import crude oil hours after the voting took place. Not to mention, some senior officials at the Foreign Ministry are of the view they can do business with Russia by circumventing Western economic sanctions.  

Some 14 of Colombo based diplomats representing Western countries issued a collective statement this week urging Sri Lanka’s “vocal support for Ukraine and international law, including the UN Charter.”

“As heads of missions to Sri Lanka, we urge the Government of Sri Lanka to join us in vocal support for Ukraine and international law, including the UN Charter. We urge Sri Lanka to join us in calling on Russia to end its hostilities immediately.”

Responding to the collective statement, a source in the diplomatic circles noted that even though the West is trying to paint the picture that the whole world is against invading Russia, two regional power blocs in Asia–India and China–are not on the same page.

When Islamabad-based western diplomats made a similar request to Pakistan early this month, Premier Imran Khan, addressing a public meeting, said, “What do you think of us? Are we your slaves that whatever you say, we will do?” He also asked the ambassadors whether they wrote “such a letter to India”, which also remains neutral.

No paper to print exam papers and electricity bills; Water Board to introduce digital payment methods

The severe shortage of printing paper owing to the US dollar crisis has caused chaos in many different fields. The shortage has already forced the Western Province Education Director to change the schedule of final term exams in schools. Accordingly, term end exams for Grades 6, 7 and 8 are to be conducted at school level. Exams for Grades 9, 10 and 11 have been postponed indefinitely.

Some schools have also asked parents to purchase bundles of A4 paper and hand them over.

The situation has also affected the issuing of utility bills. Electricity consumers in some parts of Colombo say that meter readers have not given them proper electricity bills for this month claiming there is no paper to print the bills.

Some people have been given a bill that is different from their usual bill. Some meter readers have simply told consumers their reading for this month without giving any bill at all, or they asked consumers to write down the reading and the amount due for the month.

Meanwhile, the Water Supply and Drainage Board is introducing digital payment methods for consumers owing to a shortage of paper to print bills.

Headless Treasury draws pithy remark

The General Treasury was literally ‘headless’ for a couple of days this week when both Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa and Treasury Secretary S. R. Atygalle were in India to
finalise the US$ one billion worth economic assistance deals.

Under the existing protocols, when the subject minister is abroad, it is the Secretary who functions as Chief Executive Officer of ministerial affairs.

As one veteran business journalist noted, since the Treasury was nearly bankrupt, there was nothing much to worry in the absence of the top officials.

Neon signs are on in Colombo; but street lights in the suburbs are off

After the rupee was floated against the US dollar last week despite the Central Bank (CB) trying to keep the rate low artificially at the expense of billions in the reserves, the US dollar market price fluctuates between Rs. 275 and Rs. 300 in the so called Pettah rate which thrived due to the bank’s decision.

CB Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal was on the US news station CNBC this Monday reflecting on the rupee depreciation and the US dollar shortage.

Although you say that, if you are in Colombo, you will find that all the neon signs are on and there are traffic jams which are sometimes quite awkward. It means that there are people who are able to manage at these fuel prices. As soon as power is there, many people use it for different activities which they could not do during the power cut. It is a dichotomy of sorts.

The Governor also said the Central Bank had recommended to the Government to increase the price of electricity as well.

On one social media platform, a user had asked whether the Governor would ever go out in the suburban areas to witness such neon signs when the Finance Minister had instructed local government authorities to switch off street lamps to save fuel.

Twitter hashtag #GotaGoHome emerged as a top trend from Monday onwards. Pic by Eshan Fernando

Trending topics: #GotaGoHome goes viral on social media

In recent months, it was social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and TikTok that this country’s youth took to express their frustrations on increasing inflation coupled with the fuel shortage or to ridicule government leaders with creative content.

For example, a Tik Tok video of some youth performing the Presidential theme song used by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s 2019 campaign team crossed a million views after it went viral on other platforms as well. The youths sang the song to entertain people lined up at fuel sheds.

Coinciding with protests organised by opposition parties this week, a Twitter hashtag #GotaGoHome emerged as a top trend from Monday onwards. Twitter users demanded the Government officials to resign by accepting failure in managing the country’s economy.

The next day, Government spin doctors were in action with a counter hashtag: #WeAreWithGota and Government affiliated individuals and accounts started to push it to make it the top trending topic in the country. Whoever came up with that hashtag did a favour for the Opposition as it triggered more users to use the earlier hashtag. It ended up becoming a top trend for a couple of days.

What Stalin said then about Lanka and what Lanka is now vis-a-vis India

Considering the current Ukraine crisis, a historical anecdote on Sri Lanka–then Ceylon–between former Soviet leader Joseph Stalin and former Indian Ambassador to Russia Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, who later became India’s second President, is making the rounds in diplomatic circles these days.

The story goes that the Indian ambassador was giving a brief tour of India by showing a map of the country.

Pointing out the tiny island located in India’s backyard, the Soviet leader reportedly asked “What’s this tiny Indian island?” to which the Ambassador responded “This is not an Indian island. It’s Ceylon, an independent nation.” Stalin was puzzled for a moment and then asked: “Why?”

The anecdote between the former Soviet leader and the former Indian Ambassador is included in a record of the conversation that took place on January 15, 1950. This can be found in the digital archive of the Wilson Centre in the United States as well.

This is what the official transcript of the conversation says: “Stalin asked if Ceylon was a separate state and whether its separation was so necessary and LAUGHED. He further enquired if court *language* had any AFFINITY with any Indian Language and was informed of position.”

“The interview was pleasant and lasted half an hour. PAVLOV, the Head of the North Europe Division of the Soviet Foreign Office and former Counsellor in London, acted as interpreter. Stalin smoked cigarettes continuously and LAUGHED occasionally. He appeared in quite good health and was alert and attentive. The interview took place in a pleasant and relaxed atmosphere.”

Recent diplomatic developments and economic assistance followed by frequent visits by top government leaders as Sri Lanka is facing the worst economic crisis since Independence raise the pertinent question whether the country is becoming another satellite state of the regional big brother.

Six weeks in a row: Maharagama UC in commotion over alleged corruption of father-son duo

The Maharagama Urban Council, which is always in a state of crisis, had its fair share of commotions this week too.

The latest development was the media being kept out of council sessions on the orders of council chairman Tiraj Lakruwan Piyaratne.

The people have the right to know the decisions made and actions taken by the council. However, that opportunity was denied this week as both the public gallery and the media room were locked.

However, 23 Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) council members walked out of the council meeting in protest over the move. They later told journalists that they were kept out of the council meeting as a corrupt activity of the chairman was to be revealed. The chairman was elected from an independent group backed by SLPP after the SLPP nominations were rejected. The independent group members later resigned, enabling the SLPPers to enter the council.

SLPP council member Nishantha Wimalachandara alleged the chairman had used Rs 2.8 million from council funds to buy a new vehicle for the council vice chairman and his father Sunil Piyaratne. Mr. Wimalachandara said the vehicle was bought so that his father use it to travel to his restaurant at Pahiyangala in Bulathsinhala.

Endorsing the allegation was former council chairwoman Kanthi Kodikara, who contested under the UPFA ticket and supports the SLPP. She said the chairman and the vice chairman were stealing public funds and as these matters were about to be revealed, the media were shut out of the meeting. She said the Western Province Governor and the Local Government Commissioner were carrying out investigations on the alleged corruption involving the chairman and vice chairman.

This was the sixth consecutive week where council members walked out in protest over the chairman’s behaviour.