Sri Lankan President accepts Bribery Commission DG’s resignation

The letter of resignation tendered by the Director General of the Commission into Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOAC) has been accepted by the Sri Lankan President. The DG, who was appointed in February last year, had sent in her resignation on Monday, 17 October 2016, in the wake of the Sri Lankan President’s criticism against the manner in which investigations were being carried out by the anti-graft body headed by her. The Deputy Director General will now oversee the work of the CIABOAC until a new DG is appointed.

However, the President, who had just returned from the BRICS-BIMSTEC outreach summit held in India, had earlier delayed taking a decision on the controversial CIABOAC head. He, in whose absence the resignation letter had been submitted, is said to have awaited the arrival of the Prime Minister, who is also away from the country, holding discussions with European Union officials in Brussels to regain the Generalised System of Preferences (GSP +) facility.

Meanwhile, the Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU), a constituent political party of the present administration, had alleged that the DG was politically biased and her resignation was a move to avoid possible action against those responsible for the Central Bank (CB) bond issue. The report of the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) on the CB bond scam, which has cost the Government to the tune of LKR 10 billion, is to be referred to the CIABOAC for action next week. The JHU contends that many of the accused are linked to the present Government.

The DG of the CIABOAC is widely believed to have been hand-picked by the Sri Lankan Prime Minister, the leader of the United National Party (UNP), which is a key partner of the present National Unity Government. She, as the head of the high-powered investigation body, frequently grabbed headlines for probes of alleged corruption and financial crimes committed by the previous regime. The ruling coalition, led by the Sri Lankan President headed-SLFP and the UNP, came into power in January last year on an anti-corruption platform. It is now under mounting pressure for not bringing to books the culprits of the much-cited misdeeds.

In a separate development, the Speaker of the Sri Lankan parliament had met the chairmen and members of the five independent commissions, namely Commission into Allegations of Bribery or Corruption, National Police Commission, National Procurement Commission, National Finance Commission and National Elections Commission, at the parliamentary complex in the state’s administrative capital Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte, apparently to defuse the prevailing tension. The Speaker, who is also the Chairman of the Constitutional Council responsible for making appointments to the independent commissions, had held separate discussions to ascertain their present status of performance and future course of action. Later issuing a statement, he had said that neither the President nor the Prime Minister would allow undue interference in the functions of the independent commissions.

Never ending Norochcolai tantrums

Divaina editorial published on 18 October 2016 reports that the Norochcholai coal power plant has broken down again. If one remembers correct this is the 29th time that the Norochcholai power plant has become non-operational. According to the Ministry of Power and Energy, it will take at least 05 days to restore it. Hence, information is surfacing about a possible crisis situation in continuous electricity supply. The Energy Ministry keeps alluding to the possibility of resorting to a power-cut “as usual”. It is certain that the general public too, who are no strangers to double talk, are bracing themselves to face the situation.

By now, the national power grid has deprived of 900 MW of electricity. The three power generators at the power plant have become non-operational. There is no use now talking about the reason which has made all three units of the power plant non-operational. The Ministry has confirmed that it was a technical fault. Nevertheless, no one should be unduly worried since the Norochcholoai is well known since its construction more for repairs and not for electricity generation. This is “normal” for the power plant. What is more ironic, however, is the break-down of the three machines all at once.

As is being revealed some damage has been caused to the first and the third unit. Minimum damage has occurred in the second unit and it takes 05 days to be repaired. At least 10 days are said to be needed to restore the first unit. There is, however, no mention about the time period required to restore the third unit.

Nonetheless, these three units had remained fully operational in the past. Moreover, 40% of the national electricity requirement was provided by the Norochcholai power plant. For over a decade, it met the highest percentage of the electricity supply in the country. Until then, kerosene and chimney lamps were used in many areas including some urban areas. All was forgotten when electricity was introduced. We have now been made to feel that we cannot remain without electricity even for an hour. One may wonder, however, what is all this puss about when some machinery becomes non-operational once in a while due to technical defects.

To be honest, what puzzles us most is not the break-down of the Norochcholai time to time but why it has been made to break down so often. That is the very reason which has mad the Norochcholai so famous.

The power plant was declared open on 22 March 2011. It was the tax money collected from the people that was used for its construction. That burden is being borne by the people. It is also their money which is being spent to repair every time a break-down occurs as well as to generate electricity using alternative means. It is the very same people who have to bear that loss when power cuts are imposed.

It should not be forgotten that the people of the country has borne this brunt now for 29 times. It is no wonder why the people of the country question the usefulness of a Government when it cannot resolve the Norochchalai debacle which has become such a curse.

Sri Lankan President attends BRICS-BIMSTEC Outreach Summit in India to explore closer partnership

The Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena had attended the BIMSTEC Outreach Summit in Goa, India on 16 October 2016. The initiative, first of its kind to link South Asia to South East Asia, had been held to pave the way for BRICS and BIMSTEC leaders to explore prospects for closer partnership and coordination, synergising the potential of nearly two-thirds of humanity.

During the bilateral discussions with the Indian Prime Minister held on the side-lines of the BRICS summit, the Sri Lankan President had stated that peace in the region is imperative for economic prosperity. Sri Lanka stands firm against all forms and manifestations of terror to ensure the regional progress which has an immense impact on the global economic growth. He had also drawn the Indian leader’s attention to the long existing fishing issue and the Indian Premier had agreed the need for a proper solution to the problem in order to prevent the straining of bilateral relations between the two neighbouring nations. President Sirisena had taken the opportunity to thank Premier Modi for the assistance extended for the rehabilitation programmes implemented in the war-ravaged northern Sri Lanka. He had also expressed gratitude for India’s gift of ambulances to be used in the western and southern provinces of the island-nation and expressed hopes that its closest neighbour would assist in extending this service to other areas of the country as well.

In a twitter message, Modi had noted his elation at having the Sri Lankan President for the BRICS-BIMSTEC summit as one of most valued friends of India. President Sirisena in response had tweetered back welcoming the opportunity offered to discuss ways to deepen SL-India relations and explore how Sri Lanka can play a stronger role in the region.

India, amidst growing tensions with Pakistan following a terror attack on one of its army bases on the boarder of disputed Jammu-Kashmir, has made use of the BRICS summit to invite the leaders of the neighbouring countries belonging to BIMSTEC for an outreach pow-wow in a show of solidarity. India hosted the BRICS countries – Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa - this year for their 08th summit. Sri Lanka is a member of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) launched in 1997 along with Bhutan, India, Myanmar and Thailand. The BRICS-BIMSTEC outreach summit had allowed India to skirt its way around the SAARC (South Asia Association for Regional Cooperation), whose Islamabad hosted summit it boycotted citing cross-border terrorism incited by neighbouring arch-rival Pakistan. The 08-member grouping SAARC includes Pakistan, Afghanistan and Maldives as well as Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

Brazilian President Michel Temer, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping and South African President Jacob Zuma had joined Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the 08th BRICS summit held under the theme “Building Responsive, Inclusive and Collective Solutions”. The five BRICS leaders had focussed their attention on combatting terrorism, their contribution to global economic growth, cooperation with emerging and developing economies, issues of climate change and nurturing people-to-people contact.

That statement was made on behalf of the country

Divaina editorial published on 14 October 2016 states that President Maithripala Sirisena has made a bold statement that would open the eyes of many and make everyone to think it over. What prompted the President to make that statement had been the irregular manner in taking into custody the former Secretary of Defence and Navy Commanders who had fought the war. The President has been highly displeased by it. The controversial nature of many actions taken by the present government is clearly manifested in that speech by the President made while taking part in an event for war heroes at the Foundation Institute in Colombo. Catching robbers has today become a public joke. People of the country do not have a good impression about the FCID, the CID and the Bribery Commission due to lack of transparency and propriety in their action. That is what has been pointed out with examples by the President in his statement.

The truth in essence is that the President had not known that anyone of them being taken to courts. Everyone is made to have doubts regarding the methodology adopted when the President says that the relevant commissions should have informed him as the President if the former Secretary of Defence and Navy Commanders were to be summoned before courts. Above all, the President is the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces in this country. As the President says, the persons serving on these independent commissions have not properly understood their subject area and work scope. If they did, the President would not have felt it necessary to point it out before a huge gathering.

The President says that he remains committed to the welfare and the needs of the war heroes while emphasizing the fact that no one will be allowed to weaken the military in any manner. This statement, made by the President at a time when grave concerns related to security are being raised, is very important. The President had also mentioned about the army intelligence officers in custody. The President seems to have a clear notion about the prevailing controversies surrounding the war heroes. The President’s speech calls for exercising more caution when making arrests which lead to revelation of decisions and information critical to national security, making undue exposures and summoning people arbitrarily time to time before various commissions. Hence, it is equally important to reveal to the country such “operations”, which are carried out even unknown to the President. If not so, as the President states, the opinion of the people of the country will most likely turn to be that the persons on the relevant independent commissions are taking action with a view to gain political advantage. This narrative must be ended with an addendum to the President’s speech; the President was elected in such a manner neither to make phone calls to courts nor to interfere in the work of independent commissions or to influence judges and make the Attorney General to release criminals from courts. The President is trying to fulfil the obligations to many who dedicated their lives for the defence of the country.

Garbage? Oops! Sorry.

Charity begins at home, so they say. Yet, the much harped on adage more often than not finds itself being conveniently discarded into the waste bin when it comes to garbage disposal. No one cares two hoots about what happens to their litre as long as it is off their premises; out of sight, out of mind and the matter ends there. Many have opted to live in blissful oblivion as to the enormous health risks caused to their loved ones and neighbourhood as a result of their callous disregard for environment.

For many years now, inefficient garbage disposal has been the bone of contention between the concerned public and the authorities tasked with keeping the respective localities clean, each passing the buck to the other in turn. Sky-high mounds of garbage are a common sight not only in the city but also in the suburbs, making the entire country a sore eye to the passers-by. Even the countryside is not spared mostly by the city dwellers picnicking at weekends to their heart content and leaving an unsavoury trail of empty cans, empty bottles, boxes and what-nots behind in the process. Stench reaching high heavens makes one dizzy and wish that the sense of smell was one endowment they could do without at this birth. Yet, the pleas for effective action go unheeded triggering a snowballing impact and knee-jerk response only adds fuel to the raging angers due to the ad-hoc measures that are no permanent solutions to the issues at hand. 

Since the menace of garbage has engulfed all nooks and corners of the living space, the dreadful spectre must be combated from all fronts both individually and collectively, leaving no room for a recurrence, which will undoubtedly pose a constant drain on personal and societal resources lest lapses should be allowed to mar the success of combined efforts. Everyone must hold themselves accountable irrespective of their social standing and should make it a point to keep the immediate environs clean and free of litre without wasting any more time in blaming the other.

Simple and easy-to-adopt measures abound if only one cares enough to open one’s eyes and take a lesson. Waste separation to enable their proper disposal, minimising the left-overs to reduce household garbage and in-situ burning of light litre at regular intervals are but a few options that will go a long way. Everyone will be doing a good service to humanity if they make a conscious effort to abide by the three-Rs i.e. reduce, reuse and recycle, in waste management whenever possible.

It is time we cleaned our act up and took the self-initiative to create a cleaner and greener neighbourhood for the benefit of our loved ones as well as others. The blame game must end and consorted efforts be taken to arrest the ever rising threat before it swallows all of us.

Samsung stops sale of Galaxy Note 7

In the wake of the mounting safety concerns due to the replacement devices reportedly catching fire, Samsung Electronics has suspended the sale of its latest smartphone Galaxy Note 7. Customers are now requested either to exchange the original as well as the replacement Galaxy Note 7s for a Galaxy S7 or Galaxy S7 edge or to obtain a full refund from the point of purchase. The company is also offering those who exchange their Note 7 devices a $25-gift card, in-store credit, in-store accessory credit or bill credit from select carrier retail outlets.

South Korean tech giant recalled 2.5 million Galaxy Note 7 phablets sold globally following a series of incidents involving its battery catching fire during and after charging. The world’s largest smartphone producer launched its large-screen smartphone on 19 August this year packed with an array of top-of-the-line technologies that included iris recognition and a waterproof stylus. 

It was earlier speculated that the defective batteries provided by its subsidiary Samsung SDI had made Samsung Electronics’ ultra-slim Galaxy Note 7 prone to explosion. The replacement handsets therefore came fitted with the batteries manufactured by China-based ATL. ATL supplies 30% of Samsung Electronics’ battery requirement against 70% met by Samsung SDI. The technical glitch is now thought to be beyond just the defective battery.

Sri Lanka and its place in the world

Address by Hon Ranil Wickremesinghe, Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, 3rd October 2016: Wellington, New Zealand


First let me express my sincere appreciation to the organizers of this event for the invitation extended to me. I am concluding my visit to New Zealand with this talk. I have noted the objective of the Institute is to promote discussion and understanding of international issues and emerging trends.

A new Global order is still emerging. It has been marked by the collapse of both the post-cold war order as well as the political dominance of the West. The emergence of strong regional powers is challenging the hegemony of the still predominant global actor, USA. The western world is in the process of re-examining its basic tenets. All of us have to focus on how we reposition ourselves. In that context, I am happy to be here today to address you on the theme of “Sri Lanka and its place in the world.”

Sri Lanka’s location in the heart of the Indian Ocean straddling Western and Eastern Asia has made us beneficiaries of inter-regional trade for centuries. The strategic importance of Sri Lanka as a regional hub in the realm of global commercial activity has been widely acknowledged.

Historical records show that Sri Lanka was called by more than sixty-eight names is a clear testimony of the many nations and peoples that communicated with this Island State through the centuries and its importance as a port of call.

In the ancient world, as far as global and navigational contexts were concerned, Sri Lanka possessed three strategic geographical advantages.

-It was the vital southern-most point of mainland Asia;

-It was almost on the Equator where navigational winds and monsoon effects changed directions;

-It was the half waypoint between the two great empires of Rome and China.

Even though navigational winds are no longer of relevance in the modern world, the geographical positioning of Sri Lanka still remains of consequence especially with the construction of the Suez Canal which provided a free passage between Europe and Asia.

Even as an internal self-governing colony under the British, Sri Lankan leaders had a clear focus on Asia and was well aware of the choices facing the international community. In January 1942, when the Allies stood at their most vulnerable moment, Sri Lanka re-affirmed its commitment to the Allies and extended all support to the United Nations. After gaining independence from the British in 1948, Sri Lanka advocated and acted on the need for an Asian focus. The Commonwealth Foreign Ministers’ meeting in Colombo, in 1950, which gave rise to the Colombo Plan was one such occasion.

Immediately after the World War II, Sri Lanka led the Asian nations in supporting the Peace Treaty with Japan at the San Francisco Conference in 1951. This was a high watermark in Sri Lanka’s foreign policy after independence and the foundation for Sri Lanka’s relations with Japan. The concept of a completely independent Japan was first put forward at the Colombo Conference of Commonwealth Foreign Ministers in 1950, where the issue was considered - not as an isolated case, but as part of the South and South East Asian region.

The independence of Sri Lanka’s foreign policy at the time was further emphasized by the Rubber-Rice Pact of 1952 that Sri Lanka entered into with the People’s Republic of China. We were not afraid to engage with countries based on our socio-economic needs.

The 1954 the Colombo Powers Meeting brought together the leaders of India, Pakistan, Myanmar, Indonesia and Sri Lanka, to work towards overcoming the issues of post-colonialism and to establish democracy and democratic institutions within these nations.

This in turn led to the Afro-Asian Conference in Bandung, in 1955 which was the precursor to the Non-Aligned Movement. Sri Lanka played an active role in the Non Aligned Movement, and was selected as its Chair following the NAM Summit held in Colombo in 1976.

Since the collapse of the Soviet Union and the end of both the Cold War and the post-Cold War era, there have been radical changes in the world order. Economic interest is increasingly driving national priorities and political affiliations. We must adjust to these evolving global priorities and realities.

On the other side of the Indian Ocean, the African continent is also going through political and economic transformations, which could complement its already significant economic growth. The African Union is becoming more relevant in the current global context where the trade and economy of its member States are becoming increasingly integrated with other regions. In recognition of this importance, Sri Lanka will be establishing a diplomatic mission at the seat of the African Union in Addis Ababa.

The turn of the millennium has also witnessed another important development. Unprecedented economic growth in Asia has shifted the world economic centre of gravity to the East since China has become the largest economy in the world, and while the US is 2nd, India, and Japan occupy 3rd and 4th places. Thus, new consumer markets in Asia and the expansion of the Asian middle class are changing the traditional focus of markets.

The ADB has predicted that Asia will account for half of all global economic output by 2050 if the current levels of growth are maintained.

While global power has generally manifested itself in the form of political and military influence, the current reality is that the scale of economic achievements and the strength of an economy underpin the weight of political, military and other influences of powerful nations.

With 2 billion population, South Asia is also a considerable market with growing significance. It is in this evolving context and dynamics of the globe that we in Sri Lanka have started to plan and project our own future.

In the coming decades, managing our relations with several centers of global power, many of which directly or indirectly would seek to expand influence in the Asian seas will no doubt be a major challenge. It is on leveraging our advantages effectively in the overlapping spheres of economic and strategic interests, that our success within the region and beyond, inter alia, will depend.

At the end of the internal conflict in Sri Lanka in 2009 we sought to isolate ourselves from emerging trends. In the 6 years following the end of this conflict, there was deliberate, continued rejection of efforts at improving the human rights situation and embarking on genuine reconciliation.

The National Unity Government established by President Maithripala Sirisena and myself have wholeheartedly taken on this challenge. On 8th January 2015, President Sirisena was elected the Executive President on a policy platform of good governance, rule of law and accountability, transparency, re-democratization and reconciliation. The Parliamentary elections held in August 2015 gave a clear mandate for the formation of a national Government to advance these goals and to consolidate the drive towards development, peace and freedom; thereby establishing a society free from corruption and fear.

Reconciliation is being advanced in a manner that is both inclusive and genuine. The different communities in Sri Lanka have to, first and foremost, be brought on an inclusive platform of mutual understanding and co-existence.

Sri Lanka is currently engaged in drafting a Constitution that strengthens and entrenches fundamental rights and freedoms - with more power to the people. By co-sponsoring the HRC Resolution 30/1 Sri Lanka has reasserted its commitment to human rights and willingness to work with international partners in addressing issues of concern, while at the same time rebuilding and strengthening relations within the international community. Focus on reconciliation is the new Government’s commitment to fostering national unity, which is essential if we are to strengthen domestic stability and resume our march to become a high income economy.

Overcoming internal contradictions through reconciliation and peace building in our view would empower the government and the people of Sri Lanka in their search for a significant role in the region and in the world.

Our Government is now refocusing attention on repositioning Sri Lanka’s place on the international stage, which was lost during the long years of conflict.

The global power transition to Asia creates both opportunities and challenges for Asia as whole and the Indian Ocean in particular. As noted earlier the paradigm shift in the balance of power affecting the countries of the Asian Oceans - the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean proffer extraordinary opportunities to create something fresh in the global context and something historically and uniquely beneficial to its people.

Sri Lanka’s situation in the nautical corridor between the East and West is of import not only from a geostrategic perspective, but also from maritime economic and security perspectives. On the one hand, the Indian Ocean is a vast source of maritime economic resources, on the other, it is a maritime trading corridor through which nearly two thirds of the world’s oil is transported. Thus, the protection of the Indian Ocean is crucial for the energy, food and national security of many nations. This is where the location of Sri Lanka as a fulcrum of the Indian Ocean demands attention.

Consequently, let us devote a moment to the discussion of the nature of big power rivalry in the Indian Ocean. It is important that we grasp the difference between the power dynamics of the Pacific and the Indian oceans. The Pacific is intrinsic to US Security and therefore has its own power play and strategic spectrum of political interests.

In contrast, the Indian Ocean Region has maintained a multipolar characteristic by entering into partnerships with countries outside the region. The littoral states in the region have always resisted the domination of the Indian Ocean by any single entity.

Therefore it is important that we limit the disputes in the Pacific Ocean from reaching the Indian Ocean. Yet, it is vital that we strengthen political and economic cooperation with East Asian and Pacific countries including New Zealand.

Already our two nations are committed to cooperation in combatting people smuggling, trafficking persons, transnational crimes, terrorism and illegal fishing and other similar security issues in both Asia and the Pacific.

While it could well be that a single Indo-Pacific Region for military security will have the potential to increase the likelihood of such rivalry spilling over to the Indian Ocean. A new initiative, on the other hand, that would ensure freedom of navigation in the Indian Ocean will help to reduce the potential for such disputes. This is why a few weeks back in a speech delivered in Singapore, I proposed that SAARC and ASEAN get together to revitalize talks on the freedom of navigation.

Sri Lanka is prepared to play a responsible role jointly with other nations towards ensuring the freedom of navigation from Maldives to the Malacca straits. It is vital to adopt an inclusive approach that invites all stakeholders to discussions concerning the freedom of navigation in the Indian Ocean.

We are also prepared to develop our Naval and Air Forces to fulfill our role in this regard.

In our perspective, the Indian Ocean remains key to Asian prosperity. An Indian Ocean order, which envisages at its core an ocean free of conflict despite competing economic interests - with lanes of communication, ease and safety of passage, secure and sustainable use of resources for the economic advancement of States in an equitable manner, is imperative.

South Asia Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) was established to promote peace, amity and progress in the region by complementing bilateral and multi lateral cooperation. SAARC’s main function is to be a platform for dialogue at the heads of Government level contributing to the improvement of bilateral relations among members.

Sri Lanka’s request at the inception of SAARC in 1985, to include cross border terrorism was rejected. At the time, this was considered to be a bilateral issue. Today, cross border terrorism has gatecrashed the SAARC summit. The recent terrorist attack on the Indian military base in Uri resulted in four member states stating their inability to attend the Islamabad Summit meeting in November this year. Sri Lanka which is opposed to terrorism in all its form of manifestation, condemned this incident and has expressed regret that the prevailing environment does not permit the meeting.

Yet if SAARC is to play a useful role, the annual summit meetings at heads of Government level must take place. Therefore, this postponement must be utilized by the member countries to reflect on the question of cross border terrorism. The future of the SAARC depends on an outcome acceptable to all members. If not, SAARC’s days are numbered. Then, Sri Lanka will have to look for other options. The future – like in the past will depend on the ocean.

The security and stability of the Indian Ocean is a pre-requisite to enable legitimate economic activity to preserve the maritime environment and seabed. These geo-political realities require that Sri Lanka build strong bilateral relations with its fellow South Asian members and the Bay of Bengal members of ASEAN. The security of the Indian Ocean is a pre-requisite to achieve our economic objectives.

Our government is also repositioning ourselves to maximise on our bilateral our relationships with both our historic and new trading partners. It must be not be forgotten that Sri Lanka’s geo-strategic position makes us a hub of the Indian Ocean as well as a transshipment port for the Bay of Bengal trade. To fully tap this potential, Sri Lanka will engage in initiatives with regional players who have major economic stakes in the Indian Ocean.

The India-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the two countries will be further expanded and deepened to go beyond trading goods to cover trade in services, investments and technology cooperation. The Governments of India and Sri Lanka hope to finalize an Economic Technology Cooperation Agreement (ETCA) by 2017. The ETCA will enhance the scope of our existing economic partnership agreement to extend freer movement of goods and services with the added emphasis of cooperation in the development of technology. ETCA will provide an impetus to the existing synergies and has the potential to promote a rapid growth of the sub regional economy between Sri Lanka and the five South Indian states, which today accounts for US Dollars 500 billion.

We are also negotiating a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Singapore. Singapore already has a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with India. Therefore, we believe that by next year the Singapore-India (CEPA), the Indo-Lanka ETCA and the Sri Lanka-Singapore FTA will enable the southern sub region of South Asia and Singapore to establish a tripartite arrangement for trade and investments.

Historically Sri Lanka played a major role in the Maritime Silk Route. Therefore we are supporting the One Belt - One Road economic initiative. This will consolidate our position as the Hub of the Indian Ocean while further integrating us with the Asian markets. We are also negotiating a FTA with China as a part of this initiative. The Chinese investments will be primarily directed to:
Industrialisation and further development of Hambantota Air Sea Hub in southern Sri Lanka and
The creation of a Financial City to fill the vacuum for offshore financial service between Singapore and Dubai.

These programmes have no military implications.

The economic cooperation between Japan and Sri Lanka is as important to us as the above mentioned FTAs. We are grateful that four decades of Japanese donor assistance has made a significant impact on our economic and social developments. The two countries are now holding discussions for further closer economic cooperation programme.

We have already made the application to the European Union to regain the GSP+ facility for preferential access to the single market and are hopeful of an agreement by next year. All these abovementioned measures are a pre-requisite for the Indian Ocean Hub.

Sri Lanka will also institute Free Trade Agreements with the other Bay of Bengal countries such as Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia. Similar attention will also be paid to the Western Indian Ocean countries.

For centuries Sri Lanka has had close ties with the West Asian Muslim countries and we are already undertaking talks to further strengthen our economic ties and trade ties with them.

Sri Lanka is also looking forward to strengthening its trade relations both with UK and US, which we have enjoyed since independence. But this however will depend on the following factors:
The outcome of the US Presidential and Congressional Elections of 2016;
Negotiations between UK and European Union on Brexit.

Since 2010 Russia has begun to re-assert its economic and political power prioritizing its interests - expanding its global reach and its strategic importance. This is in another sphere in which Sri Lanka has to strengthen economic relations.

My speech will not be complete without speaking of Sri Lanka’s relationship with New Zealand. Both are small islands, both live next to large neighbours, both have educated populations, both exist on agricultural economies which are diversifying into other sectors. Both play cricket and rugby. We have followed your lead in formulating enlightened social policies. Our Parliament is currently discussing the adoption of New Zealand’s Mixed Member Proportion election system.

Next, I would like to refer to specific institutions to which both our countries belong and how we could, together, broaden their mandates.

The Commonwealth Charter which was adopted after UK joined the European Common Market promotes the “values and aspirations” of democracy, human rights and the rule of law. Understandably at that time there was no focus on trade. However, Intra Commonwealth trade has grown over the years, projected to surpass US $ 1 trillion by 2020. However, the full potential of trade remains yet to be fully tapped.

The Commonwealth economy is growing three times faster than the EU economy and faster than the world average. Over 2/3 of its population will be within the Sri Lankan hub of touching Africa on the one side of the Indian Ocean and Australia – New Zealand on the other side.

The Kotte Statement on International Trade and Investment adopted by CHOGM 2013 held in Colombo states: “we recognize the potential for growth in intra commonwealth trade and investment as well as the importance of promoting practical measures to overcome constraints to such growth”.

Therefore this is an appropriate time when UK is seeking a new role to give effect to the Kotte Statement by promoting a Commonwealth Framework for Trade and Investment.

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In the six decades of the Colombo Plan of which our two countries were founder members, the role of the state in the economy has shrunk, making way for free market private enterprises, which are fast becoming a part of the Global Value Chain.

We should create space in the Colombo Plan to promote and strengthen the emerging private enterprises in Asia – Pacific with special emphasis on innovation. This will also require the support from regional financial institutions, including ADB, AIIB, World Bank, JBIC etc.

We both work within the system of international institution with its numerous shortcomings. Sri Lanka like New Zealand have always believed and worked within the UN system. Sri Lanka and New Zealand are strong supporters of the UN Multilateral system, which underpins the policy of small states to promote and preserve their interests. We wish Helen Clark, a friend, all the best in her endeavours to become the Secretary General of the United Nations.

Therefore, there are many areas in which we can work together to further promote UN ideals and objectives especially that of inclusive and sustainable development. Both our countries are high on the UN development index. Sri Lanka has already surpassed regional figures. Therefore we should coordinate efforts to ensure that UN members achieve the 17 goals of UN sustainable development. The other is cooperating and ensuring the successful implementation of the Paris Climate Change Agreement.

The Government of Sri Lanka has a clear vision of what it wants Sri Lanka to be in the world today. As multi-ethnic island nation with a Commonwealth heritage and commitment to the global multilateral system we view New Zealand as a partner on whom we can count on for advice and guidance. Today, Sri Lanka is at an important juncture - faced with historic opportunities and key decisions to make in the political and economic domains at a time when the global political and economic order is also undergoing a radical transformation. Therefore we will seize this opportunity and reposition ourselves to make a meaningful contribution to the international system. 

source: www.mfa.gov.lk