blog: eesrilanka.wordpress.com
‘Before you study the economics, study the economists!’
Apples & Oranges & the Lights Come On
e-Con e-News 27 February – 05 March 2022
• Most of this ee is a vast dreary compendium of the English news of the last week, mostly from Sri Lanka. All it goes to show is that, after 72 years and more, we do not have a representative national media, in Sinhala, Tamil or in English. As one ee Reader wisecracked, the capitalist media has many resemblances to sorcery. But meant to divert and deceive, not focus and heal.
• The murder of President R Premadasa was attributed to the Indian government taking revenge for his arming of the LTTE against the Indian invasion of Sri Lanka’s north & east, 1987-89.
Another version suggests it was Premadasa’s attempt to curtail the power of the Pettah Moor and Chettiar foodstuffs import mafia that caused his instant demise. Yet another, more interesting whodunnit: his insistence on bolstering his feeble industrialization strategy, by promoting the DFCC & NDB as real development banks. The IMF was opposed to this. Hence his assassination. DFCC & NDB were privatized soon after.
This week, the new US envoy announced that the hijacked DFCC Bank would join their Agency for International Development (USAID)’s ‘Private Sector Development project to expand financial services to micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Sri Lanka’. Why are these whites so fascinated by MSMEs? Most make cutlets, will never transform the economy, and threaten their industrial power.
This ee was about to explore the role of USAID and other so-called ‘Development Finance Institutions’ (DFIs). But with imminent changes in the political firmament, and the explosion of war in Europe (beyond its usual borders in Asia & Africa), ee shall examine DFIs next week.
• In Sri Lanka, on the eve of imposing a ban on 600 non-essential imports, the ruling coalition, elected by a massive and popular majority, is split. The choice, we’re told, is between imported energy & imported apples, between light & lust. And imported apples have won again! The oligarchy wishes us to keep biting on them in this garden of the original Eden. So, who is playing the snake?
This split comes just as the USA’s IMF ‘concluded’ their 2021 Article IV consultation with Sri Lanka, just as the Supreme Court dismissed all petitions against the Yugadanavi agreement which hands over energy security to the US, just as all those charged with the Rs37billion Central Bank bond scam were ordered released. All of this good fortune for the whites, midst a supposed white inquisition against Sri Lanka, in Geneva, conducted by a rogue UN agency.
• ‘Judo is about deception and using the opponent’s strength against him. Putin, the judoka, has judoed the West into suicide. Put your money in our banks, we can confiscate it; put your assets in our territory, we can steal them; use our money and we can cancel it; put your yacht in our harbor, we can pirate it; put your gold in our vault, we can grab it. That is a lesson that will resound around the world.’ – ee Sovereignty, Armstrong
‘The narrative that only white people deserve peace & security is all the more shameful because the global south suffers from war & privation as a direct result of US/NATO actions. It is NATO that destroyed the nation of Libya, NATO which attempted to do the same in Syria, NATO that occupied Afghanistan, NATO which wages war across African countries with US, French and English troops deployed across the continent. The white world causes suffering and then says that the people of the global south are ‘uncivilized’ with no rights that need to be respected.’ – ee Sovereignty, Ukraine Exposes White Supremacist Foreign Policy
‘It is when traumatic times come that the veneer of culture and modernity of the Europeans peels away and true human nature surfaces in all its naked crudity. This is not a matter of education or wealth. We have seen that even António Manuel de Oliveira Guterres is a changed man nowadays. He behaves more like a westerner from Portugal and a Roman Catholic than as the Secretary-General of the UN. After Dag Hammarskjöld, Guterres is the first UN secretary-general who has clashed with a permanent member of the Security Council – or, more precisely, identified totally with one of the UNSC members against another… Guterres’ motives are dubious. (Is it a coincidence that his special representatives in the trouble spots in the world wherever western interests are at stake – be it Myanmar, Somalia, Sudan, Afghanistan or Venezuela – happen to be nominees from Western countries?) – Bhadrakumar, ee Sovereignty, Strange Bedfellows
We’re being taught excellent lessons by the white man. In Sri Lanka and the world. Why we fail to learn is another matter…
• Sri Lanka, China, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, etc., on the same page regarding a white-hijacked UN, is indeed something to celebrate! All our representatives finally decided to abstain from the white attempt to kraal us into attacking Russia. All this midst their doom-n-gloom media machinery spewing out its second-by-second foggery to deceive and divert.
• Sri Lanka’s, along the rest of the world’s, white English media almost unanimously spits out the NATO line, with so-called SL cable companies like Dialog TV even blocking RT News. It’s almost impossible to avoid pro-NATO propaganda/hysteria and seek independent sources on a US-dominated internet.
Threatening India & the UAE, the US recalled a diplomatic cable that instructed its envoys not to mince words in telling their Indian & UAE counterparts that their countries were ‘in Russia’s camp’ due to their neutral stance on the Ukrainian conflict. ‘US recalls official memo that hammered nations for being ‘in Russia’s camp’’ was the RT headline!
• Is it 1815 again? 1815 is of course another year that’s a synonym for perfidy – for Sri Lanka. 1815, when we were sold out to the English for ‘regime change’, midst promises to maintain Buddhism etc.
Such perfidy also resonates with the white man’s promise to Russia to end the so-called Cold War. They promised in 1990, the NATO war machine would not move ‘an inch’ towards Russia. Which of course they immediately did, and have kept doing by miles since!
1815 was also the year, imperialists set up ‘The Concert of Europe,’ to speak with one voice. The Concert of Europe was set up by the Quadruple Alliance led by England against France. The Congress of Vienna had just divided up the world, with England claiming Lanka, Mauritius, the Cape, Tobago, Santa Lucia, Ionian Islands, Malta, etc – all for strategic domination of the seas. Their ‘European Concert’ would hold the balance of power in Europe until the Russian Revolution.
And look how the whites speak with one voice to this day. It’s another revelation-ary moment, as almost every white Left & Right mouth across the spectrum openly display their duplicity. Their innumerable but inconsequential sects, largely reduced to so-called social media – so-called socialists, anarchists, liberals, etc – funded no doubt by the political police of their respective states, march in goosestep.
The whites are imposing sanctions on Russia, to block access to the luxurious to the ridiculous: from NATO to Netflix to FIFA to a hijacked UN. Of course, the whites feel they can attack Russia cos they have enough pliant Black-whites behind them. They’re even claiming to speak for the world.
Yet, this should help Russia truly become an independent state. Russia & China have been promising to set up an alternative to the dominant US$. Now is the time: ditch those damned Dollars!
Contents:
A1. Reader Comments –
• Riot or World War? • ee rousing Communalism
A2. Quotes of the Week
• Thugs as Neighbors • BBC Irks the Monkeys • Embark on Planning Now • Importing White Water • 47% of Debt is to Capitalist Markets • Industrialization Not Service is the Answer • Economic Vulnerability Greater than Terrorism • Bribing Ministry of Education • For Capitalists, Balance of Payment is the Issue • US controls SWIFT • Russia Insulated from Global Markets
A3. Random Notes –
• Japan Self-Defense in Colombo • Planning is a Communist Plot • Stealing Peasant Surpluses • Money Decides Elections
B. ee Focus
B1. From Crisis to Catastrophe? What is to be Done in Eastern Europe – Gerald Horne
C. News Index
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A1. Reader Comments
ee thanks Readers who send articles of interest. Please excerpt or summarize what is important about any news sent, or your comments, and place any e-link at the end. Email: econenews@gmail.com
• ‘The powers that be are praying for riots to rescue them. They might get more than they wish for: a world war…’
• ‘ee edges dangerously close to rousing communalism regarding Tamil Nadu’s industrial power. Isn’t it better to emphasize Sri Lanka’s need for what ee calls modern industrialization and protecting its home market, rather than rousing old antagonisms? Sri Lanka has a powerful history of unity and spirit between peoples, of course due to its Sinhala Buddhist ethos, which I believe inspires all communities.’
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A2. Quotes of the Week_
• ‘There are so many comments on the Russia/ Ukraine conflict. I asked a villager who is well up with the latest news for his comments. This is what he told me, “Sir, if a noted village thug, and a drunkard always brandishing a gun, is about to lease out part of my immediate neighbor’s property, I will do everything to prevent it because I do not want any trouble with this ruffian. I also know that my neighbor will have no control over him.” I did not disagree.’ – S Kulatunge, FB
• ‘When BBC’s Lyse Doucet landed in Kiev a week ago, he was reminded of the howling cry of monkeys in Corbett Park alerting the jungle that a tiger was on the prowl. “As soon as I saw Doucet I knew that ‘action’ would begin (in Ukraine)”… However, BBC erred this time around. The MI6 probably anticipated a devastating Russian attack on Kiev.’ – ee Sovereignty, Donbass
• ‘44 years of experience is more than enough. We must embark upon a strategy of planning-market state intervention… We must stop borrowing forthwith money from the international money market. We must go in for concessionary loans from our friendly countries. We must make best use of the new Silk Road Economic Project.’ – DEW Gunasekera, ee Economists
• ‘The Minister said Sri Lanka had imported goods amounting to US$21billion in 2021. Out of that, $2.8bn was spent on fuel imports, $66bn on importing non-essential items including bottled water, $400million on dhal imports. ‘We import a lot of foreign fruits. We are told foreign tourists want them. However, I am certain that they will eat our tropical fruits. I am also certain that no one wants to come here, suffer through power cuts or fuel shortages that would prevent them from travelling around the country. We have to understand the crisis.’ – ee Industry, How Could I
• Loans obtained from international capital markets, at a higher rate, comprised 47% of the total debt… Instead, loans should be sought from foreign governments… The rebel group emphasised the need to be transparent in the releasing of foreign exchange required for imports, priority for the import of raw materials for industries here, and curbs on issuance of duty-free vehicle permits for a 5year period… reconsider the controversial agreement with US-based New Fortress Energy company to transfer 40% shares of the Yugadanavi power station… unless tangible measures were taken to address these issues expeditiously, no one would be able to prevent riots… the destabilisation of the country, due to the developing crises, could pave the way for external interventions… Reference was made to the massive scams in duty on sugar and coconut oil imports, and required amendments to the Bribery Act to enable fresh proceedings in respect of Treasury bond scams, in terms of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry findings… an immediate end to relief provided to importers of sugar, coconut oil, flour, milk powder and the introduction of a suitable pricing formula. Duty/taxes should be imposed in a way that wouldn’t be detrimental to local producers, and not a burden to the consumers… the government hasn’t implemented 57 recommendations made by the Parliamentary Oversight Committee on Defence, the rebel group asked for tangible measures to implement them all. The group made specific proposals in this regard… direct and indirect taxes should be 30% and 70%, respectively.’ – ee Economy, Rebel
• ‘Sri Lanka has to revisit the ‘profit story’: only through making the country’s export, manufacturing and industrialisation sector competitive that this can be achieved, not services, as we have seen now. It’s not by going to the IMF. The IMF will tell you to depreciate the currency, increase interest rates, hands off reserves: this sounds good, but is extremely dangerous. Globally too the IMF has done the same thing. All developing countries that have sought IMF assistance have not prospered. These are destructive policies the IMF brings into countries which erode competitiveness.’ – ee Economists, Sunday Times Business Club
• ‘US Business-Higher Education Forum said in 2005, Increased global competition, lackluster performance in mathematics & science education, and a lack of national focus on renewing its science & technology infrastructure have created a new economic & technological vulnerability as serious as any military or terrorist threat. This is more relevant to Sri Lanka.’ – ee Economists, Kulatunga
• ‘[Former] Secretary of Education, tried what is termed a Multiple Book Option, to persuade established publishers to produce texts for our children. The vested interests stopped that, first by threatening reputed international publishers, in alliance with our booksellers who saw their primacy threatened if they had to face competition; second by cartels set up by senior officials at the NIE who produced what were supposed to be independently produced textbooks. Enough water has now passed under the bridge for me to mention the chief culprit, a man called Siyambalagoda, who was in charge of Social Sciences at the NIE and had set up a group of writers, some of whom did not know the subject about which they were hired to write.’ – ee Workers, Education
• ‘‘Balance of payments is the main issue, reserves are dwindling, the currency isn’t being allowed to adjust and if they avoid raising fuel prices then losses at the state-owned enterprises will mount,’ said Kenneth Akintewe, head of Asian sovereign debt… ‘Securing some source of foreign funding is even more urgently required now, but given the risk of fairly imminent default, that’s easier said than done’.’ – ee Economists, Bloomberg
• ‘Although the SWIFT network is technically independent, the US enjoys effective sanction powers, as over 40% of payment flows are in US dollars. In the past, Washington has had countries banned from SWIFT, including as recently as 2018, when Iranian banks were banned after the US withdrew from the Iran nuclear deal’ – ee Economists, SWIFT
• ‘Russia has insulated itself from global markets,’ said Simon Harvey, head of FX analysis at Monex Europe Ltd. ‘It has learned the lessons of the past 10 years and positioned itself for this eventuality. But there is the risk that now sanctions have to be a lot broader to impact the economy – I think that is why you are seeing this market reaction.’ – ee Economy, Quit Dollar
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A3. Random Notes (‘Seeing Number in Chaos’) _
• ‘Two Japanese maritime self-defence force ships in Colombo’, states news headlines. If these are indeed for ‘self-defence’, what on earth are they doing in Colombo, and not in Fukushima? What we have is a totally inane media. Who will not ask such questions. They are not stupid.
• University professor & weekly Sunday Times’ economist Srimal Abeyratne tells us, ‘Policy-making is something that we have abandoned for a long time.’ Really! Now, who is we? Planning was called a communist plot, against the so-called free market. Even tho private corporations are constantly making plans, against the public good. A free market that happens to be dominated by huge private banks and corporations. As former Communist Party Secretary DEW Gunasekera (see ee Economists) says, 44 years of the so-called ‘free market’ is enough: ‘We must embark upon a strategy of planning-market- state intervention.’
• ‘The distinction made between plantations and peasant production in terms of capacity to generate a surplus is unreal. Whether such a surplus is unproductively employed or diverted outside the peasant sector is another matter. The diversion of the rural surplus and the forms in which this occurred substantiate further the existence of a surplus and its possible extent. Sometimes a portion was skimmed off by taxation – eg, in Sri Lanka a grain tax was imposed during the 19th century, the proceeds of which were used to finance an infrastructure for the plantation economy. Another portion of the surplus was taken as rent, interest and trading profits by a village rentier class. There were several groups who gathered the economic surplus of the village. A resident landlord-cum-merchant bourgeoisie combined trafficking in grain and other village produce with rice milling, money lending and land transactions. With a monopoly over rural credit, they were short-changing the peasants in their commercial transactions – by keeping false accounts, using short-weight measures, etc.’ – SBD de Silva, The Political Economy of Underdevelopment, Chapter 16
• Political parties in countries such as the USA are not what… most US election analyses… treat them as, ie, the political analogues of ‘entrepreneurs in a profit-seeking economy’ who ‘act to maximize votes…’ Instead, the fundamental market for political parties usually is not voters… most of these possess desperately limited resources and – especially in the US – exiguous information and interest in politics. The real market for political parties is defined by major investors, who generally have good and clear reasons for investing to control the state… Blocs of major investors define the core of political parties and are responsible for most of the signals the party sends to the electorate.’
In such investor-driven systems, the meaning of political competition is very different from its analogue in classical democratic theory: political parties dominated by large investors try to assemble the votes they need by making very limited appeals to particular segments of the potential electorate. If it pays some other bloc of major investors to advertise and mobilize, these appeals can be vigorously contested, but… on all issues affecting the vital interests that major investors have in common, no party competition will take place. Instead, all that will occur will be a proliferation of marginal appeals to voters – and if all major investors happen to share an interest in ignoring issues vital to the electorate, such as social welfare, hours of work, or collective bargaining, so much the worse for the electorate. Unless significant portions of it are prepared to try to become major investors in their own right, through a substantial expenditure of time and (limited) income, there is nothing any group of voters can do to offset this collective investor dominance’ – Tom Ferguson, Golden Rule: the Investment Theory of Party Competition & the Logic of Money-driven Political Systems
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B. Special Focus__
B1. From Crisis to Catastrophe? What is to be Done in Eastern Europe – Gerald Horne
The end of the Cold War was the beginning of the US unipolar moment. But the ‘end of history’ was followed by contradiction and arrogance which brought the conflict in Ukraine into being.
The current crisis in the Ukraine will inevitably eventuate as that rarity: a turning point in world history. This involves a number of main points.
First, it clarifies that the preceding epoch, the Cold War, presumably ending in December 1991 with the collapse of the Soviet Union, will likely be seen in the future as a catastrophic success for US imperialism.
A success to be sure – at least in the short term – as it inaugurated the rapidly receding era of ‘unipolarity’ and the heyday of the ‘sole remaining superpower’.
But to attain this success, Washington executed a trio of critical blunders: there was the turbo-charging of religious zealotry that led initially to the alliance in Afghanistan in the 1980s, contributing to the demise of the Soviet Union – then the attack on New York and Washington in 2001, and the ignominious ouster of the US from that same South Asian nation in August 2021. Whatever the case, it’s evident that we have not heard the last of the zealots, especially since they receive covert and overt aid from certain friendly regimes, Saudi Arabia not least.
When Washington forced the dissolution of the USSR, this allowed Moscow to cease subsidizing Moldova, Turkestan, Georgia and formerly socialist regimes in the vicinity. This allowed Russia to husband its resources leading to what Stanford scholar Kathryn Stoner terms in her latest tome: ‘Russia Resurrected’, a self-explanatory title that speaks to the development of hypersonic missiles and an agricultural superpower and a nation that can turn geopolitical tides in Syria among other sites. Imperialism failed to acknowledge that Russia had outgrown the sellout years of Boris Yeltsin and adamantly refused to adapt accordingly. NATO should have collapsed in 1991 when the USSR did, but instead, extended its remit to Libya, along with destroying the former Yugoslavia and devastating Afghanistan.
Above all – and ironically – the intervention in Ukraine occurred as we were marking the 50th anniversary of yet another turning point: the US-China entente of February 1972 on an anti-USSR basis, with the payoff to Beijing being massive direct foreign investment creating a juggernaut that bids fair to leave imperialism sprawling in the dust.
Indeed, arguably, it is the specter of China that drove imperialist strategy toward Russia. That is, confronting Beijing directly means a faceoff with Tesla , Apple, Microsoft, Starbucks , KFC, and a slew of US giants; whereas weakening China’s major partner – Russia – is more palatable, at least for the time being.
That’s why, as I write, it’s not only regime change in Kiev that is at issue: imperialism seeks regime change in Moscow, with all the dangers attendant with regard to trying to topple a nuclear power.
The ostensible issue – Ukraine joining US-dominated NATO – would mean a rise in the stock price of Raytheon (former home of Pentagon chief, Lloyd Austin) and Lockheed Martin, as member states are required to spend more on advanced weaponry, which inevitably comes from these corporations.
With Germany pledging to re-arm, we also witness the shortsightedness of world imperialism, which refuses to learn the lessons of the 20th century, especially the catastrophe of world war ending with the uncovering of industrial funeral pyres in 1945. Not only Washington but London, Brussels and Paris should be shuddering right now.
Of course, since Germany will now be buying natural gas from Texas – and no longer Russia – this will satiate Washington: for the time being.
France is particularly culpable, since Paris blathers and bloviates constantly about ‘strategic autonomy’ but is so dependent upon Washington for aerial and satellite assets to keep a lid on its neo-empire in Africa, that it is paralyzed.
Brussels, Paris and Berlin apparently are unfamiliar with the recent memoir by sacked National Security honcho for Trump – John Bolton, admitting the 45th US President saw the European Union as second only to China as an antagonist.
And this crisis in Ukraine will reinvigorate EU vassalage to US imperialism.
However, the underlying contradiction of this crisis is historical: a glance at the map reveals that much of European territory is Russian and this huge nation still has a population twice the size of that of the No2: Germany.
In sum, while Western Europe was getting fat from the plunder of the Americas and Africa in recent centuries, Russia was moving eastward – often at the expense of China – and establishing its window on the Pacific in 1860: Vladivostok.
Thus, Western Europe was becoming a global power at the same time that it did not necessarily rule its home continent. Two centuries ago Napoleon sought to resolve this anomalous contradiction by invading Russia – and being soundly defeated. A few decades later in the 1850s there was the Crimean War as, again, France, Britain and Turkey ganged up on Russia.
Then there was the final self-inflicted wound when in 1905 London financed Japan’s attack on Russia, which backfired spectacularly in that it wounded white supremacy grievously, as Du Bois, Ho Chi Minh, Sun Yatsen and Nehru all recognized. But it also led to the transformative Bolshevik Revolution of 1917, which inaugurated the General Crisis of Capitalism itself – which has yet to dissipate – then was punctuated by the Tokyo payback in 1941-42, when the British Empire was devastated when its cash cows of Hong Kong and Singapore were seized by Japan.
A few decades later, as noted, Washington repeated the blunder of building up Asia to confront Moscow when in 1972 the entente with China was brokered.
Russia is the equivalent of the ‘whale’ in Melville’s Moby Dick, the pursuit of which drives the North Atlantic bloc into crazed self-destruction.
Of course, Russia was not standing still as it sought to weaken European colonialism in Africa when in the 1890s it armed Abyssinian/Ethiopia to the teeth as it defeated Italian invaders. Then under Soviet rule doing the same in Southern Africa from the 1960s, to Southern Africa independence culminating in 1994 with the election of Nelson Mandela.
Of course, the Black community – or at least many among us – are also culpable in that, since the ‘Compromise of 1954’, anti-Jim Crow concessions in return for the ditching of our internationalists led by Paul Robeson, ill-prepared us to understand global affairs or even capitalize upon an often favorable international situation.
Then there’s the US Left, which during the Cold War assured us that once the alleged albatross of the USSR disappeared, radicals and progressives would be liberated: instead, we see the emergence of rightwing populists in Eastern Europe (Poland & Hungary particularly), not to mention Washington. In France, the presidential election is today characterized by a surfeit of these types, with the once mighty Communists and Socialists on the back foot.
There are many lessons to draw from today’s crisis, but among them must be not only a better understanding of history and the international correlation of forces – but also stronger collectives by which we can take advantage of propitious moments.
(Dr Gerald Horne holds the Moores Professorship of History a& African American Studies at the University of Houston. His over 30 books include Confronting Black Jacobins: the US, the Haitian Revolution, & the Origins of the Dominican Republic, The Apocalypse of Settler Colonialism: the Roots of Slavery, White Supremacy & Capitalism in 17thC North America & the Caribbean, and The Counter-Revolution of 1776 – Slave Resistance and the Origins of the USA.)
– http://www.blackagendareport.com/crisis-catastrophe-what-be-done-eastern-europe
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C. News Index_
ee News Index provides headlines & links to make sense of the weekly focus of published English ‘business news’ to expose the backwardness of multinational, corporate controlled ‘local media’:
C1. Sovereignty
(ee is pro-politics, pro-politician, pro-nation-state, anti-corporatist, anti-expert, anti-NGO)
ee Sovereignty news emphasizes sovereignty as economic sovereignty – a strong nation is built on modern (machine-making) industrialization fueled by a producer culture.
• Two Japanese warships arrive in Colombo
– ft.lk/ft_tv/Two-JMSDF-ships-arrive-in-Colombo/10520-731354
– adaderana.lk/news/80927/two-japanese-maritime-self-defense-force-ships-in-colombo
• Indian Naval craft berths in Trincomalee to conduct diver training for SLN
– dailymirror.lk/breaking_news/Indian-Naval-craft-berths-in-Trincomalee-to-conduct-diver-training-for-SLN/108-232020
– island.lk/highly-advanced-diving-support-ship-of-indian-navy-arrives/
– economynext.com/india-diving-support-ship-on-sri-lanka-training-mission-90945/
– newsfirst.lk/2022/02/28/diving-support-vessel-ins-nireekshak-arrives-at-port-of-trincomalee/
• Erasing The Eelam Victory Part 16B
– lankaweb.com/news/items/2022/03/01/erasing-the-eelam-victory-part-16b/
• Sri Lanka is now in a more dangerous crisis than LTTE terrorism: Gammanpila
– ft.lk/news/Sri-Lanka-is-now-in-a-more-dangerous-crisis-than-LTTE-terrorism-Gammanpila/56-731343
• The need for a holistic approach and restructuring of system – Gunadasa Amarasekara
– island.lk/the-need-for-a-holistic-approach-and-restructuring-of-system/
• SL should not stop trading with Moscow to please Washington, London – Ranil
– island.lk/sl-should-not-stop-trading-with-moscow-to-please-washington-london-ranil/
• Sri Lanka facing worst crisis on multiple fronts – Sunday Times
‘This week saw President Rajapaksa overrule Cabraal. It was after he had directed state banks not to extend credit facilities to the CEB.’
– sundaytimes.lk/220227/columns/sri-lanka-facing-worst-crisis-on-multiple-fronts-474384.html
• Lankan envoy in India meets RSS chief
– island.lk/lankan-envoy-and-rss-chief-discuss-religious-relations-scope-for-dialogue/
• Lankan envoy in India meets Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind
– island.lk/lankan-high-commission-in-new-delhi-presents-a-sinhala-translation-of-the-holy-quran-to-the-jamiat-ulama-i-hind/
– lankaweb.com/news/items/2022/03/01/continuing-the-dialogue-with-major-religions-in-india-sri-lanka-high-commission-in-new-delhi-presents-a-sinhala-translation-of-the-holy-quran-to-the-jamiat-ulama-i-hind/
• Pathfinder Indian Ocean Security Conference (PFIOSC) – Phase II to be convened on 4 March
– ft.lk/news/Pathfinder-Indian-Ocean-Security-Conference-PFIOSC-Phase-II-to-be-convened-on-4-March/56-731280
• India often focuses on soft diplomacy than hard diplomacy when dealing with its tiny neighbour
– ft.lk/columns/India-comes-to-Sri-Lanka-s-rescue-at-a-crucial-moment/4-731438
• Sri Lanka, India, and China: The need for a new perspective
‘colonial rule entrenched a plantation sector based on the extraction of commodities and raw minerals’
– island.lk/sri-lanka-india-and-china-the-need-for-a-new-perspective/
• Sri Lanka talking to China, bilateral lenders to reprofile debt: Minister
– economynext.com/sri-lanka-talking-to-china-bi-lateral-lenders-to-reprofile-debt-minister-90848/
• Basil’s crucial India visit put off indefinitely
– island.lk/basils-crucial-india-visit-put-off-indefinitely/
• White Diplomats Lead Walkout at the UNHRC during Russian Foreign Minister’s speech
– island.lk/diplomats-walkout-at-the-unhrc-during-russian-foreign-ministers-speech/
• Colambage confident of retaining GSP+ on eve of UNHCR sessions
– island.lk/colambage-confident-of-retaining-gsp-on-eve-of-unhcr-sessions/
• Post-war national reconciliation: Prof Peiris asks UK to appreciate Lanka’s efforts
– island.lk/post-war-national-reconciliation-prof-peiris-asks-uk-to-appreciate-lankas-efforts/
• GL meets French Minister Delegate for Trade at the Foreign Ministry in Paris
‘He met with Counsellor Bernard Quinet and Head of International Business Networks Estelle Gillot at the Chamber of Commerce, Francois Corbin of MEDEF International, the largest association of companies in France, Secretary General of the company M21 Life Sciences Christian Leroux and Vice President of Marketing Strategy Thales DIS Jean-Claude Perrin.’
– island.lk/gl-meets-french-minister-delegate-for-trade-at-the-foreign-ministry-in-paris/
• UNHRC and the way forward
– dailymirror.lk/opinion/UNHRC-and-the-way-forward/172-232053
• Cardinal briefs UNHRC High Commissioner over Easter Sunday Attacks
– dailymirror.lk/latest_news/Cardinal-briefs-UNHRC-High-Commissioner-over-Easter-Sunday-Attacks/342-232190
• UNHRC’s evidence gathering mechanism unhelpful to Lankans: Foreign Minister
– ft.lk/ft_tv/UNHRC-s-evidence-gathering-mechanism-unhelpful-to-Lankans-Foreign-Minister/10520-731355
• Sri Lanka to face tough UNHRC session amid more international scrutiny
– economynext.com/sri-lanka-to-face-tough-unhrc-session-amid-more-international-scrutiny-91034/
• Sri Lanka opposition MPs fly off to Geneva to secure release of imprisoned colleague
– economynext.com/sri-lanka-opposition-mps-fly-off-to-geneva-to-secure-release-of-imprisoned-colleague-91026/
• Counter-terrorism legislation mustn’t restrict democratic freedoms: Sri Lanka tells UNHRC
– lankaweb.com/news/items/2022/03/01/counter-terrorism-legislation-mustnt-restrict-democratic-freedoms-sri-lanka-tells-unhrc/
• Revisions to PTA falls short of int’l recommendations: OHCHR
– newsfirst.lk/2022/03/03/revisions-to-pta-falls-short-of-intl-recommendations-ohchr/
– timesonline.lk/news-online/UN-experts-call-for-swift-suspension-of-PTA-and-reform-of-counter-terrorism-law/2-1136965
• Bachelet wants alternate strategies to advance accountability at the int’l level on SL
– dailymirror.lk/breaking_news/Bachelet-wants-alternate-strategies-to-advance-accountability-at-the-intl-level-on-SL/108-232423
• English HC, Colombo won’t answer queries
– island.lk/bhc-colombo-wont-answer-queries/
• No effort by youth to regroup for militancy in north – Northern Governor Jeevan Thiagarajah
– dailymirror.lk/opinion/Theres-no-effort-made-by-youth-to-regroup-for-militancy-in-the-north-Northern-Governor-Jeevan-Thiagarajah/231-231949
• Missing persons’ families to observe Mannar mass grave exhumation
– themorning.lk/missing-persons-families-to-observe-mannar-mass-grave-exhumation/
• Revisiting Western media lies of end to SL’s ethnic conflict in 2009
– ft.lk/columns/Revisiting-Western-media-lies-of-end-to-SL-s-ethnic-conflict-in-2009/4-731249
• With A Begging Bowl to India to ‘Restore’ the Myth of Traditional Homeland Concept
– lankaweb.com/news/items/2022/03/02/with-a-begging-bowl-to-india-to-restore-the-myth-of-traditional-homeland-concept/
• China has to be managed in a sophisticated way, not haphazardly: Lankan envoy
– lankaweb.com/news/items/2022/02/27/china-has-to-be-managed-in-a-sophisticated-way-not-haphazardly-lankan-envoy/
• Chinese envoy meets Sri Lanka leader, discusses Belt and Road projects
– economynext.com/chinese-envoy-meets-sri-lanka-leader-discusses-belt-and-road-projects-91041/
• Impact of America’s Indo-Pacific strategy on Sri Lanka
– island.lk/impact-of-americas-indo-pacific-strategy-on-sri-lanka/
• Sri Lanka’s ancient hydraulic civilisation and birth of Sinhala Buddhist nationalism
– island.lk/sri-lankas-ancient-hydraulic-civilisation-and-birth-of-sinhala-buddhist-nationalism/
• Best time to secure civil society space and independence – USAID NPC Perera
– island.lk/best-time-to-secure-civil-society-space-and-independence/
• Lanka to remain neutral in Russia-Ukrainian conflict
– island.lk/lanka-to-remain-neutral-in-russia-ukrainian-conflict/
• Will India do a ‘Russian Ukraine’ in Lanka or China one in Taiwan?
– sundaytimes.lk/220227/columns/sri-lanka-waiting-for-godot-in-the-theatre-of-the-absurd-474299.html
• The Foolishness of Comparing Ukraine & Lanka – Nalin de Silva
– kalaya.org/?p=5094
• The Ukraine Issue brings Asia and Eastern Europe Closer
– kalaya.org/?p=5092
• Ukraine anti-Russia protestors in Sri Lanka target Russia embassy
– economynext.com/ukraine-anti-russia-protestors-in-sri-lanka-target-russia-embassy-90948/
• Hotels, Police on alert as Russian, Ukrainian tourists stay together
– dailymirror.lk/latest_news/Hotels-Police-on-alert-as-Russian-Ukrainian-tourists-stay-together/342-232117
• Sanctions from West will drive Russia and China into each other’s arms – Jayatilleka
– dailymirror.lk/opinion/Sanctions-from-West-will-drive-Russia-and-China-into-each-others-arms-Dr-Dayan-Jayatilleka/172-232109
• Save Sri Lanka strategy and Asian autonomy on Russia-Ukraine: Jayatilleka
– ft.lk/columns/Save-Sri-Lanka-strategy-and-Asian-autonomy-on-Russia-Ukraine/4-731388
• Sri Lanka Should Support Russia on Ukraine Issue – Sinhaladeepa Jathika Peramuna
– lankaweb.com/news/items/2022/03/01/sri-lanka-should-support-russia-in-regard-to-the-ukraine-issue/
• Staying sane on Ukraine
– island.lk/staying-sane-on-ukraine/
• NATO is weeping buckets for the displaced Ukrainians,
‘4,000 Ukrainian tourists have been stranded here’
– island.lk/let-them-be-helped/
• India’s recipe for Ukrainian peace: Address security concerns of all parties
– dailymirror.lk/news-features/Indias-recipe-for-Ukrainian-peace-Address-security-concerns-of-all-parties/131-232055
• 56 killed in suicide attack at mosque in Peshawar, Pakistan
– dailymirror.lk/breaking_news/56-killed-in-suicide-attack-at-mosque-in-Peshawar-Pakistan/108-232365
• Russian President Vladimir Putin’s full speech
– macaubusiness.com/russian-president-vladimir-putins-full-speech/
• Putin puts nuclear forces on high alert
– dailymirror.lk/breaking_news/Putin-puts-nuclear-forces-on-high-alert/108-232017
• Points for Common Positions Found at Russia-Ukraine Talks: Russian Delegation Head Says
– lankaweb.com/news/items/2022/02/28/points-of-contact-for-common-positions-found-at-russia-ukraine-talks-russian-delegation-head-says/
• Ukraine-Russia negotiations have reached ‘certain decisions’
– lankaweb.com/news/items/2022/02/28/ukraine-russia-negotiations-have-reached-certain-decisions/
• Russia blames England FM for elevated nuclear alert
– lankaweb.com/news/items/2022/02/28/russia-blames-uk-fm-for-elevated-nuclear-alert/
• England warns of Russia-NATO conflict
– rt.com/russia/550758-truss-russia-nato-conflict-ukraine/
• Putin Puts Russian Nuclear Deterrence Forces on High Alert Over Aggressive NATO Threats
– lankaweb.com/news/items/2022/02/27/putin-puts-russian-nuclear-deterrence-forces-on-high-alert-over-aggressive-statements-by-nato/
• Huge convoy of Russian armour advances on Kyiv
– lankaweb.com/news/items/2022/02/28/huge-convoy-of-russian-armour-advances-on-kyiv/
• Russia Restricts Flights of Airlines of 36 Countries in Response to Bans on Air Travels.
– lankaweb.com/news/items/2022/02/28/russia-restricts-flights-of-airlines-of-36-countries-in-response-to-bans-on-air-travels/
• US unveils sanctions against Putin, Lavrov
– lankaweb.com/news/items/2022/02/26/us-unveils-sanctions-against-putin-lavrov/
• Kremlin: Russia Paused Military Op for Talks, but Ukraine Rejected Negotiations
– lankaweb.com/news/items/2022/02/26/kremlin-russia-paused-military-op-for-talks-but-ukraine-rejected-negotiations/
• Did US provoke Putin’s war?
– sundaytimes.lk/220227/sunday-times-2/did-us-provoke-putins-war-474309.html
• “Stop the War” demand Ukrainians in SL
– timesonline.lk/news-online/In-Pictures-Stop-the-War-demand-Ukrainians-in-SL/2-1136907
• Protest against Russian invasion in Ukraine
– timesonline.lk/news-online/In-pictures-Protest-against-Russian-invasion-in-Ukraine/2-1136951
• White Empire Is Playing Russian Roulette With Sanctions
– indi.ca
• Switzerland breaks neutral status to sanction Russia over Ukraine invasion
– newsfirst.lk/2022/02/28/switzerland-breaks-neutral-status-to-sanction-russia-over-ukraine-invasion/
• Chinese satellite shows Ukraine’s Vinnitsa airbase hit by missile
– globaltimes.cn/page/202202/1253529.shtml
• Ukraine makes strange bedfellows
‘Israel prevented the US from transferring to Ukraine its Dome missile defence system which would have been a game changer in the present conflict on the plea that it did not want to act against Russia!’
– indianpunchline.com/ukraine-makes-strange-bedfellows/
• German military on the rebound
‘In a historic decision after the defeat in World War 2, Germany is setting up a special fund to rebuild its military. €100 billion investment, including drones, fighter jets, are on the agenda. Military spending will be raised above 2% of GDP permanently, by far outstripping France or England’
– indianpunchline.com/german-military-on-the-rebound/
• Disarming Ukraine – Day 4
– moonofalabama.org/2022/02/disarming-ukraine-day-4
• Disarming Ukraine – Day 5 | Money War On Russia – Day 1
‘On February 4 Russia and China declared a multipolar world in which they are two partnering poles that will counter the US one. Russia’s move into the Ukraine is a demonstration of that.’
– moonofalabama.org/2022/02/disarming-ukraine-day-5-economic-war-on-russia-day-1
• Disarming Ukraine – Day 6
– moonofalabama.org/2022/03/disarming-ukraine-day-6
• Disarming Ukraine – Day 7
– moonofalabama.org/2022/03/disarming-ukraine-day-7
• US recalls official memo that hammered nations for being ‘in Russia’s camp’
– rt.com/news/551154-us-ukraine-india-uae/
• Statement by Russian Permanent Representative Vassily Nebenzia at UN General Assembly
– russiaun.ru/en/news/ga_ess2802
• We’re Europeans, Christians, Whites!
– indianpunchline.com/were-europeans-christians-whites/
• Ukraine sparks EU, US rush to Iran deal
– indianpunchline.com/ukraine-sparks-eu-us-rush-to-iran-deal
• The US and NATO have never been sanctioned for starting wars. Why?
– rt.com/news/550990-us-nato-sanctions-wars/
• Ukraine: The Last Battle of the 20th Century
– paulcockshott.wordpress.com/2022/02/28/guest-post-on-the-ukraine-crisis/
• Ukraine Invasion: A Comparative Analysis
– voxday.net/2022/03/01/ukraine-invasion-a-comparative-analysis/
• English Communist Party lays out a path to end the war in Ukraine
– peoplesworld.org/article/british-communist-party-lays-out-a-path-to-end-the-war-in-ukraine/
• Ukraine conflict: Russia bombs Kharkiv’s Freedom Square and opera house – BBC
– dailymirror.lk/breaking_news/Ukraine-conflict-Russia-bombs-Kharkivs-Freedom-Square-and-opera-house/108-232105
• ‘I Don’t Want to Die’: Israeli Killed in Ukraine Called Partner Moments Before Being Shot
– lankaweb.com/news/items/2022/03/01/i-dont-want-to-die-israeli-killed-in-ukraine-called-partner-moments-before-being-shot/
• Points of Contact for Common Positions Found at Russia-Ukraine Talks: Russian Delegation
– lankaweb.com/news/items/2022/02/28/points-of-contact-for-common-positions-found-at-russia-ukraine-talks-russian-delegation-head-says/
• Ukraine-Russia negotiations have reached ‘certain decisions’
– lankaweb.com/news/items/2022/02/28/ukraine-russia-negotiations-have-reached-certain-decisions/
• Russia blames England FM for elevated nuclear alert
– lankaweb.com/news/items/2022/02/28/russia-blames-uk-fm-for-elevated-nuclear-alert/
• England stands by Ukraine: PM Boris Johnson announces £40m aid
– ft.lk/news/UK-stands-by-Ukraine-PM-Boris-Johnson-announces-40-m-aid/56-731406
• Huge convoy of Russian armour advances on Kyiv
– lankaweb.com/news/items/2022/02/28/huge-convoy-of-russian-armour-advances-on-kyiv/
• The EU Eyes New Horizons midst Germany’s military build-up
– indianpunchline.com/the-eu-eyes-new-horizons/
• Why Russian operation focuses on Donbass, Black Sea regions
– indianpunchline.com/why-russian-operation-focuses-on-donbass-black-sea-regions/
• Ukraine: Black Agenda Report Special Issue
– blackagendareport.com/ukraine-black-agenda-report-special-issue
• Ukraine Exposes White Supremacist Foreign Policy
– blackagendareport.com/ukraine-exposes-white-supremacist-foreign-policy
• From Crisis to Catastrophe? What is to be Done in Eastern Europe – Gerald Horne
– blackagendareport.com/crisis-catastrophe-what-be-done-eastern-europe
• For African and Colonized Peoples, to Understand Ukraine: Decenter Europe and Focus on Imperialism
– blackagendareport.com/african-and-colonized-peoples-understand-ukraine-de-center-europe-and-focus-imperialism
• In Ukraine, US Support for Self-Determination is Both Political and Conditional
– blackagendareport.com/ukraine-us-support-self-determination-both-political-and-conditional
• Without Even Realizing How We Were Being Played. Could This Be Russiagate’s Checkmate?
– blackagendareport.com/without-even-realizing-how-we-were-being-played-could-be-russiagates-checkmate
• Ukraine: Getting it Right: A Revolutionary Pan-African Perspective
– blackagendareport.com/ukraine-getting-it-right-revolutionary-pan-african-perspective
• US sanctions on Russia over Ukraine also target Venezuela, Nicaragua, Cuba
– blackagendareport.com/us-sanctions-russia-over-ukraine-also-target-venezuela-nicaragua-cuba
• The Biden Era, Ukraine, and the Crisis of the Left
– blackagendareport.com/biden-era-ukraine-and-crisis-left-wdr-anthony-monteiro
• Understanding the Conflict in Ukraine and Perspectives for the Anti-war Movement
– newsclick.in/understanding-conflict-ukraine-and-perspectives-anti-war-movement
• UN General Assembly demands Russia withdraw troops from Ukraine
– island.lk/un-general-assembly-demands-russia-withdraw-troops-from-ukraine/
– ft.lk/news/UN-General-Assembly-in-historic-vote-denounces-Russia-over-Ukraine-invasion/56-731462
– economynext.com/bhutan-nepal-maldives-support-ukraine-in-un-vote-on-russia-invasion-as-sri-lanka-abstains-91115/
• Ukrainian nuclear plant on fire after Russian attack, official says
– adaderana.lk/news/80971/ukrainian-nuclear-plant-on-fire-after-russian-attack-official-says
• Putin: Special Op in Ukraine Going According to Plan
– lankaweb.com/news/items/2022/03/03/putin-special-op-in-ukraine-going-according-to-plan/
• Russian Intelligence Chief Says Ukraine Was Working on Nukes, US Knew About It
– lankaweb.com/news/items/2022/03/03/russian-intelligence-chief-says-intel-showed-ukraine-was-working-on-nukes-us-knew-about-it/
• Chinese people keep ear to the ground during Russia-US showdown
– globaltimes.cn/page/202203/1253893.shtml
• Russia Ukraine 2 – Tactics, Strategy & Operations: Patrick Armstrong
– patrickarmstrong.ca/2022/03/04/russia-ukraine-2/
• Putin is NOT crazy and the Russian invasion is NOT failing. The West’s delusions…
– dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10569141/Putin-NOT-crazy-Russian-invasion-NOT-failing-writes-military-analyst-BILL-ROGGIO.html
• Ukraine and the New Al Qaeda
– thelastamericanvagabond.com/ukraine-new-al-qaeda/
• Russia-Ukraine war: How invasion is attracting mercenaries – not just foreign volunteers
– middleeasteye.net/news/russia-ukraine-war-mercenaries-helping-Kyiv-fight
• Why didn’t they stop it?
‘the costs will not be borne in Brussels or London or Washington, but measured in Ukrainian lives’
– lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v44/n04/tony-wood2/why-didn-t-they-stop-it
• Why Biden loves to demonise Putin
‘Christianity has turned out to be the most violent religion out of the three Abrahamic religions.’
– indianpunchline.com/why-biden-loves-to-demonise-putin/
• Ban on Russian sports – Are these ‘international organisations’?
– island.lk/ban-on-russian-sports/
• Russian firms rush to open Chinese bank accounts as sanctions bite – Reuters
‘That trend could threaten to chip away the dominance of the US dollar in global trade’
– dailymirror.lk/business-news/Russian-firms-rush-to-open-Chinese-bank-accounts-as-sanctions-bite-sources/273-232401
• Why No Amount of Sermons or Threats From The West Will Faze India’s Ties With Russia
– news18.com/news/opinion/why-no-amount-of-sermons-or-threats-from-the-west-will-faze-indias-ties-with-russia-4829552.html
• Zelensky Fled to Poland and is ‘Hiding in US Embassy’, Ukrainian Lawmaker Says
– lankaweb.com/news/items/2022/03/04/zelensky-fled-to-poland-and-is-hiding-in-us-embassy-ukrainian-lawmaker-says/
• Russia’s UN Envoy Blasts Claim That Russian Military Attacked Zaporozhskaya NPP in Ukraine as Lie
– lankaweb.com/news/items/2022/03/04/russias-un-envoy-blasts-claims-that-russian-military-attacked-zaporozhskaya-npp-in-ukraine-as-lie/
• Ukraine/Russia : What has set the stage for the conflict?
– lankaweb.com/news/items/2022/03/04/ukraine-russia-what-has-set-the-stage-for-the-conflict/
• Russia’s lower house passes law criminalizing “discredit of Russian military,”
– newsfirst.lk/2022/03/04/russias-lower-house-passes-law-criminalizing-discredit-of-russian-military/
• China’s 13th Congress urges mutual respect and peaceful coexistence in China-U.S. relations
– news.cgtn.com/news/2022-03-04/NPC-spokesperson-urges-mutual-respect-in-China-U-S-relations-187Ks5qSTsc/index.html
• Refugee Crises Increasing: Remember Rohingyas, Afghans, and also Ukrainians
– lankaweb.com/news/items/2022/03/02/refugee-crises-increasing-remember-rohingyas-afghans-and-also-ukrainians/
• Why India and Bangladesh should sign long-pending ‘Teesta Water Sharing Treaty’ soon
– lankaweb.com/news/items/2022/03/01/why-india-and-bangladesh-should-sign-the-long-pending-teesta-water-sharing-treaty-as-soon-as-possible/
• Bangladesh’s Response to the US Sanction: Matured or Imprudent?
– lankaweb.com/news/items/2022/03/04/bangladeshs-response-to-the-us-sanction-matured-or-imprudent/
• US-Bangladesh Joint Air Exercise reflects better bilateral understanding
– lankaweb.com/news/items/2022/02/28/us-bangladesh-joint-air-exercise-reflects-better-bilateral-understanding/
• US trade report shows it has exhausted tools to hurt China’s economy: analysts
– globaltimes.cn/page/202203/1253761.shtml
• As US Renews Support for Saudi War in Yemen, Civilian Death Toll Nearly Doubles
– blackagendareport.com/us-renews-support-saudi-war-yemen-civilian-death-toll-nearly-doubles
• Yemeni foreign minister says UN resolution serves interests of those embroiled in war crimes
– radiohc.cu/en/noticias/internacionales/287947-yemeni-foreign-minister-says-un-resolution-serves-interests-of-those-embroiled-in-war-crimes
• U.S. Supreme Court stops CIA contractors’ testimony on Guantanamo detainee
– radiohc.cu/en/noticias/internacionales/288194-us-supreme-court-stops-cia-contractors-testimony-on-guantanamo-detainee
• Sacha Llorenti says Almagro was architect of coup d’état in Bolivia
– radiohc.cu/en/noticias/internacionales/288195-sacha-llorenti-says-almagro-was-architect-of-coup-detat-in-bolivia
• Indigenous Peoples’ Land – Stolen Fair and Square
– blackagendareport.com/indigenous-peoples-land-stolen-fair-and-square
• 169 graves found at former residential school in Canada
– radiohc.cu/en/noticias/internacionales/287871-169-graves-found-at-former-residential-school-in-canada
________________________________________________________________
C2. Security (the state beyond ‘a pair of handcuffs’, monopolies of legitimate violence)
ee Security section focuses on the state (a pair of handcuffs, which sposedly has the monopoly of legitimate violence), and how the ‘national security’ doctrine is undermined by private interests, with no interest in divulging or fighting the real enemy, whose chief aim is to prevent an industrial renaissance as the basis of a truly independent nation.
• Conflict between Russia and Ukraine directly affecting our aircraft serviceability- SL Air Force
– dailymirror.lk/latest_news/Conflict-between-Russia-and-Ukraine-directly-affecting-our-aircraft-serviceability-SL-Air-Force/342-232184
• Ravi, Mahendran et al discharged from CB bond case auction held on March 29, 2016
– island.lk/ravi-mahendran-et-al-discharged-from-cb-bond-case-related-to-auction-held-on-march-29-2016/
– ft.lk/front-page/Ravi-Mahendran-Arjun-and-others-released-from-13-charges-in-bond-scam-case/44-731532
• Why is Sri Lanka’s Justice Minister promoting Polygamy against One Country One Law policy
– lankaweb.com/news/items/2022/03/01/president-rajapakse-why-is-sri-lankas-justice-minister-promoting-polygamy-against-one-country-one-law-policy/
• One Country, One Law Task Force tenure extended
– newsfirst.lk/2022/03/01/one-country-one-law-task-force-tenure-extended/
• Easter Sunday Massacres: 88 volumes of hard copies given to MPs, request for soft copies
– sundaytimes.lk/220227/columns/easter-sunday-massacres-88-volumes-of-hard-copies-given-to-mps-request-for-soft-copies-474485.html
• Radical Centre accuses Govt. of persecuting Shani
– island.lk/radical-centre-accuses-govt-of-persecuting-shani/
• Was there an invisible hand behind the Easter attack?
– ft.lk/columns/Was-there-an-invisible-hand-behind-the-Easter-attack/4-731437
• AG to not use PTA against grenade suspect doctor
– themorning.lk/ag-to-not-use-pta-against-grenade-suspect-doctor/
– newsfirst.lk/2022/02/28/grenade-probe-suspects-remanded-ags-moves-on-offensive-weapons-act-penal-code/
• Gazette preventing unvaccinated people from entering public places: legality challengesd
– dailymirror.lk/latest_news/Gazette-preventing-unvaccinated-people-from-entering-public-places-An-academic-challenges-the-legality/342-232188
• Three petitions challenge pardoning of Duminda Silva before SC
– island.lk/three-petitions-challenge-pardoning-of-duminda-silva-before-sc/
• Thirteen new High Court Judges appointed
– timesonline.lk/news-online/Thirteen-new-High-Court-Judges-appointed/2-1136963
• Appointed Co-ordinating Officer of Hambantota, 1987– Air Vice Marshal (retired) A. B. Sosa
– sundaytimes.lk/220227/plus/letters-to-the-editor-3-474024.html
• World’s custodian of peace remains glaringly irrelevant
– sundaytimes.lk/220227/sunday-times-2/worlds-custodian-of-peace-remains-glaringly-irrelevant-474314.html
_____________________________________________________________
C3. Economists (Study the Economists before you study the Economics)
ee Economists shows how paid capitalist/academic ‘professionals’ confuse (misdefinitions, etc) and divert (with false indices, etc) from the steps needed to achieve a modern industrial country.
• DEW urges Sri Lanka to deviate from neo-liberal economic strategy
– island.lk/dew-urges-sri-lanka-to-deviate-from-neo-liberal-economic-strategy/
• Needed: A new paradigm for world development
– lankaweb.com/news/items/2022/03/04/needed-a-new-paradigm-for-world-development/
• Dollar Crisis & Masochistic Politics – Nalin de Silva
– kalaya.org/?p=5110
• Economic crisis: SLPP rebels to present their alternative roadmap
– island.lk/economic-crisis-slpp-rebels-to-present-their-alternative-roadmap/
– island.lk/slpp-rebels-too-prescribe-debt-restructuring-as-pressure-mounts/
– ft.lk/front-page/Govt-allies-unite-against-Rajapaksas-fumble-urge-early-resolution-of-multiple-crises/44-731402
• President denies responsibility for economic crisis
– island.lk/president-denies-responsibility-for-economic-crisis/
• Nivard insists ‘no discord’ with Basil
– ft.lk/front-page/Nivard-insists-no-discord-with-Basil/44-731528
• CBSL Eight-point policy package
– dailymirror.lk/business-news/Eight-point-policy-package/273-232405
– themorning.lk/cabraal-says-central-bank-road-map-a-resounding-success/
– ft.lk/front-page/CB-prescribes-urgent-8-point-policy-prescription-for-stability-and-growth/44-731527
• Sri Lanka debt unsustainable, should stop printing money, hike rates, taxes: IMF
– economynext.com/sri-lanka-debt-unsustainable-should-stop-printing-money-hike-rates-taxes-imf-91073/
– lankaweb.com/news/items/2022/03/03/imf-urges-sri-lanka-to-raise-taxes-devalue-currency/
– timesonline.lk/news-online/IMF-Sri-Lanka-faces-mounting-economic-problems/2-1136953
• IMF concludes 2021 Article IV consultation with Sri Lanka; urges focus on monetary policy
– adaderana.lk/news/80947/imf-concludes-2021-article-iv-consultation-with-sri-lanka-urges-focus-on-monetary-policy
• IMF urges Sri Lanka to focus on monetary policy to tackle inflation risks
• Chamber of Commerce wants IMF for Fixing forex issue fastest way to deal with power cuts
– themorning.lk/restore-electricity-and-fuel-supply-urges-ceylon-chamber/
– economynext.com/sri-lanka-biz-chambers-call-for-debt-restructuring-imf-deal-market-pricing-of-energy-91150/
– dailymirror.lk/business-news/Fixing-forex-issue-fastest-way-to-deal-with-power-cuts-fuel-shortages-CCC/273-232224
– timesonline.lk/news-online/Economic-crisis-Ceylon-Chamber-urges-govt-to-reach-out-to-the-IMF/2-1136948
– ft.lk/front-page/Ceylon-Chamber-reiterates-need-to-go-to-IMF-without-further-delay/44-731403
• Government has finally decided to go to International Monetary Fund (IMF)
– sundaytimes.lk/220227/editorial/state-of-the-economy-state-the-truth-474377.html
• Qualifiers Used in Summings Up of Executive Board Meetings
– imf.org/external/np/sec/misc/qualifiers.htm
• Transcript of IMF Press Briefing
– imf.org/en/News/Articles/2022/02/10/tr021022-transcript-of-imf-press-briefing
• IMF Staff Concludes Visit to Sri Lanka
– imf.org/en/News/Articles/2020/02/07/pr2042-sri-lanka-imf-staff-concludes-visit-to-sri-lanka
• Basil will visit IMF in April
– sundaytimes.lk/220227/news/basil-will-go-to-the-imf-in-april-474528.html
• IMF: Sri Lanka faces mounting economic problems
– timesonline.lk/news-online/IMF-Sri-Lanka-faces-mounting-economic-problems/2-1136953
– island.lk/imf-tells-sl-how-to-save-economy/
• IMF calls for expenditure rationalization & prudent management of Port City project
– newsfirst.lk/2022/03/03/imf-calls-for-expenditure-rationalization-prudent-management-of-port-city-project/
• Central Bank proposes ways and means of overcoming forex crisis
– island.lk/central-bank-proposes-ways-and-means-of-overcoming-forex-crisis/
– dailymirror.lk/business-news/Central-Bank-proposes-slew-of-measures-to-preserve-forex-attract-new-inflows/273-231988
• Sunday Times Business Club (STBC) discussion on ‘Going to the IMF’
– sundaytimes.lk/220227/business-times/muddling-through-lankas-foreign-exchange-crisis-473968.html
– sundaytimes.lk/220227/business-times/imf-help-474000.html
• IMF warns serious downside risks for SL
– ft.lk/top-story/IMF-warns-serious-downside-risks-for-SL/26-731421
• CBSL Rate hike likely, finds Reuters poll of 13 economists
– dailymirror.lk/business-news/Rate-hike-likely-finds-Reuters-poll/273-232229
• CB Chief claims no need to change exchange rate despite IMF, private sector request
– ft.lk/front-page/CB-Chief-claims-no-need-to-change-exchange-rate-despite-IMF-private-sector-request/44-731526
• No prospects or policies for resolving the economic and financial crisis – Sanderatne
‘The root of the problem lies in the lack of foreign currency for even essential imports’
– sundaytimes.lk/220227/columns/no-prospects-or-policies-for-resolving-the-economic-and-financial-crisis-474330.html
• “Policy-making” is something that we have abandoned for a long time – Abeyratne
– sundaytimes.lk/220227/business-times/bureaucrats-and-aristocrats-473979.html
• The Future of the Agriculture and the Agriculture of the Future – Wijewardena
– ft.lk/columns/The-Future-of-the-Agriculture-and-the-Agriculture-of-the-Future/4-731185
• Devaluation – Sugath Kulatunga
– lankaweb.com/news/items/2022/02/28/devaluation/
• What is wrong with gaining financial support from the IMF?– Theophilus
– lankaweb.com/news/items/2022/02/27/seeking-financial-support-from-the-imf-for-sri-lanka/
• A Common Minimum Program to respond to Sri Lanka’s current crisis – National Movement For Social Justice (Rohan Samarajiva)
– island.lk/a-common-minimum-program-to-respond-to-sri-lankas-current-crisis/
– island.lk/karu-tells-the-country-to-follow-ukraines-example/
• How to save electricity, money and precious lives? – Mahika Ming
– http://bizenglish.adaderana.lk/how-to-save-electricity-money-and-precious-lives/
• Sumanthiran tells government not to play politics with economic situation
– island.lk/sumanthiran-tells-government-not-to-play-politics-with-economic-situation/
• Verité Research launches Gallup style “Mood of the Nation” poll in SL
– dailymirror.lk/latest_news/Verit%C3%A9-Research-launches-Gallup-style-Mood-of-the-Nation-poll-in-SL/342-232171
• Buying dollars with rupees
– sundaytimes.lk/220227/sunday-times-2/buying-dollars-with-rupees-474306.html
• State-Owned Enterprises SOEs / SOBEs / SSOBEs
– dailymirror.lk/opinion/STATE-OWNED-ENTERPRISES-SOEs-SOBEs-SSOBEs/172-232054
• Losses incurred by energy utilities threaten stability of banks: Advocata
‘Fuel, which is the single largest import accounting for 18% of the country’s total import expenditure, cost an alarming USD 3.7 billion in 2021.”
– island.lk/losses-incurred-by-energy-utilities-threaten-stability-of-banks-advocata/
• Advocata backs case for automatic pricing formulae for fuel
– ft.lk/front-page/Advocata-backs-case-for-automatic-pricing-formulae-for-fuel/44-731264
• Proposals called for Saman Kelegama Memorial Research Grant 2022
– dailymirror.lk/business-news/Proposals-called-for-Saman-Kelegama-Memorial-Research-Grant-2022/273-232400
• Deshamanya N.U. Jayawardena commemorated
‘first Sri Lankan Governor of the Central Bank, and financier, was commemorated by the staff members of MMBL-Pathfinder and the Pathfinder Foundation’
– ft.lk/ft_tv/Deshamanya-N-U-Jayawardena-commemorated/10520-731284
• ‘Trade Policy Effects on Global Value Chain Participation of South Asian Countries: Implications for Bangladesh-Sri Lanka Trade Negotiations’
– island.lk/trade-policy-effects-on-global-value-chain-participation-of-south-asian-countries-implications-for-bangladesh-sri-lanka-trade-negotiations/
• Russian-Ukrainian crisis likely affect multiple sectors: tourism, oil, gas, plantation sectors, tea…
– island.lk/russian-ukrainian-crisis-likely-to-affect-multiple-sectors-in-sri-lanka/
• Russia-Ukraine conflict: Economic implications for Sri Lanka – Asanka Wijesinghe
‘Russia and Ukraine account for 2% of Sri Lanka’s imports and 2.2% of exports in 2020’
– island.lk/russia-ukraine-conflict-economic-implications-for-sri-lanka/
– ft.lk/columns/Russia-Ukraine-conflict-Economic-implications-for-Sri-Lanka/4-731261
– timesonline.lk/features/COMMENTARY-Russia-Ukraine-conflict-Economic-implications-for-Sri-Lanka/5-1136917
• Russia-Ukraine crisis: Economic consequences on South Asia
– ft.lk/columns/Russia-Ukraine-crisis-Economic-consequences-on-South-Asia/4-731435
• The war in Ukraine: Sri Lanka’s crisis amid global unravelling
– ft.lk/columns/The-war-in-Ukraine-Sri-Lanka-s-crisis-amid-global-unravelling/4-731190
• Political Economy of the Conflict in Ukraine – C Saratchand
– newsclick.in/political-economy-conflict-ukraine
• USA Defeats Germany for the Third Time in a Century
‘a major aim of today’s New Cold War is to monopolize the market for U.S. shipments of liquified natural gas (LNG)’
– nakedcapitalism.com/2022/02/america-defeats-germany-for-the-third-time-in-a-century-the-mic-bare-and-ogam-conquer-nato.html
• Russia’s war and the global economy – Nouriel Roubini
‘war in Ukraine will trigger a massive negative supply shock to the global economy, reducing growth and further increasing inflation at a time when inflation expectations are already becoming unanchored’
– sundaytimes.lk/220227/sunday-times-2/russias-war-and-the-global-economy-474274.html
• Ukraine Crisis Risks Pushing Sri Lanka Closer Toward Default – Bloomberg
– http://bizenglish.adaderana.lk/ukraine-crisis-risks-pushing-sri-lanka-closer-toward-default/
• Russia-Ukraine conflict raises risk of SL’s default: Tellimer Research
– themorning.lk/russia-ukraine-conflict-raises-risk-of-sls-default-tellimer-research/
• Sri Lanka chamber calls for urgent end to power, forex crisis, calls for IMF program
– economynext.com/sri-lanka-chamber-calls-for-urgent-end-to-power-forex-crisis-calls-for-imf-program-91044/
– ft.lk/front-page/Joint-Chambers-meet-in-emergency-session-demand-Govt-to-resolve-forex-crisis-to-avert-economic-paralysis/44-731425
• Inflation is ‘Real’, and so Should be its Solutions
‘Cartelisation and price gouging (the ability of some players to charge excessively high prices by taking advantage of a supply shortage or a sudden rise in demand) arise out of an imbalance in market power and is one of the most important —but least talked about — sources of inflation.’
– newsclick.in/inflation-real-so-should-be-solutions
• What Exactly is the SWIFT Payments System?
‘The European Union is Russia’s biggest trade partner. About 37% of Russia’s imports came from the EU in 2020 and nearly 38% of its exports went to the EU. The bloc relies heavily on Russia for its energy needs and gets more than a third of its gas supply and about a quarter of its oil from the country’
• Biden’s State of the Union Was a Paean to Liberalism’s Complacent Status Quo
– jacobinmag.com/2022/03/joe-biden-state-of-the-union-liberalism-status-quo
____________________________________________
C4. Economy (Usually reported in monetary terms)
ee Economy section shows how media usually measures economy by false indices like GDP, etc., in monetary terms, confusing money and capital, constantly calling for privatization, deregulation, moaning about debt & balance of payments, without stating the need for modern industrial production.
• Govt to suspend 600 non-essential imports, Gazette tonight – Gammanpila
– news1st.lk/3MdJXeh
• Crisis due to government settling ISBs to give cronies 100% profit
– island.lk/those-who-bankrupted-country-should-resign-eran/
• Sri Lanka debt unsustainable, should stop printing money, hike rates, taxes: IMF
– economynext.com/sri-lanka-debt-unsustainable-should-stop-printing-money-hike-rates-taxes-imf-91073/
• Sri Lanka money printing, deficits could lead to economic implosion: IMF report
– economynext.com/sri-lanka-money-printing-deficits-could-lead-to-economic-implosion-imf-report-91152/
• Russia’s Years-long Quest to Quit Dollar Eases Impact of Sanctions
– bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-02-24/russia-s-years-long-quest-to-quit-dollar-is-blunting-sanctions
• Central Bank once again rules out rupee float
– sundaytimes.lk/220227/business-times/central-bank-once-again-rules-out-rupee-float-473994.html
• Government explores other options to re-introduce SGST
– sundaytimes.lk/220227/business-times/government-explores-other-options-to-re-introduce-sgst-473988.html
• Sparks fly as pandemic-hit people now suffer power cut woes
– sundaytimes.lk/220227/news/sparks-fly-as-pandemic-hit-people-now-suffer-power-cut-woes-474411.html
• All eyes on Ukraine as Lanka fears conflict will hit already battered economy
– sundaytimes.lk/220227/news/all-eyes-on-ukraine-as-lanka-fears-conflict-will-hit-already-battered-economy-474469.html
– sundaytimes.lk/220227/business-times/multiple-impacts-in-sri-lanka-from-ukraine-war-473997.html
• Sri Lanka faces severe shortage of rupees along with dollar crunch
– timesonline.lk/news-online/Sri-Lanka-faces-severe-shortage-of-rupees-along-with-dollar-crunch/2-1136916
• Public help sought to identify parties engaged in unauthorised forex dealings
– dailymirror.lk/business-news/Public-help-sought-to-identify-parties-engaged-in-unauthorised-forex-dealings/273-232073
– ft.lk/front-page/CBSL-goes-to-public-for-illegal-forex-deals-surveillance/44-731263
– economynext.com/sri-lanka-central-bank-seeks-grey-market-informers-in-forex-crisis-90979/
– http://bizenglish.adaderana.lk/central-bank-seeks-public-support/
– timesonline.lk/news-online/Central-Bank-repeats-warning-against-unofficial-market-for-dollars/2-1136918
• Forex kerb market premium keeps shooting up
– themorning.lk/forex-kerb-market-premium-keeps-shooting-up/
• Food inflation 24.4%, non-food inflation 10.2% in January 2022
– island.lk/food-inflation-24-4-non-food-inflation-10-2-in-january-2022/
• Colombo inflation hits 13-year high to 15.1% in Feb.
– dailymirror.lk/business-news/Colombo-inflation-hits-13-year-high-to-15-1-in-Feb/273-232072
– economynext.com/sri-lanka-inflation-hits-15-1-pct-in-feb-2022-after-money-printing-90965/
• Amaraweera calls for end to import of nonessential goods
“Last year, USD 6 billion was spent on imports of non-essential items including cheese, butter, vegetables, fruits, ice cream, chocolate and sauces…Every year 150 tonnes of bee honey are imported here. Last year, millions of dollars were spent on mobile phone imports…amount spent on sugar and confectionery in 2020 was USD 277.13 million’
– island.lk/amaraweera-calls-for-end-to-import-of-nonessential-goods/
• Govt. should decide whether to stay in the dark after eating apples, grapes, oranges
‘the country is importing water, apples, grapes, and oranges without fuel. We have imported honey, but do not have enough medicines…The government spent $21 billion on imports last year (2021), of which $2.8 billion was allocated for fuel imports’
– dailymirror.lk/latest_news/Govt-should-decide-whether-to-stay-in-the-dark-after-eating-apples-grapes-oranges-Gammanpila/342-232057
– ft.lk/front-page/Energy-Minister-calls-on-Govt-to-prioritise-its-needs/44-731269
• Net credit to Govt. swells by Rs. 1.7 trillion
‘Lending by commercial banks to the Government crossed the Rs. 4 trillion mark to Rs. 4.19 trillion, up 14% from the previous year. Banking sector credit to public corporations grew by 18.6% to Rs. 1.18 trillion from Rs. 1 trillion by end 2020.’
– ft.lk/front-page/Net-credit-to-Govt-swells-by-Rs-1-7-t/44-731233
• Rouble skids to all-time low, dollar surges as West bolsters Russia sanctions
– dailymirror.lk/breaking_news/Rouble-skids-to-all-time-low-dollar-surges-as-West-bolsters-Russia-sanctions/108-232015
• Sri Lanka rupee appreciates against Ruble, Bank of Russia may clean float
– economynext.com/sri-lanka-rupee-appreciates-against-ruble-bank-of-russia-may-clean-float-90990/
– economynext.com/sri-lanka-rupee-appreciates-against-ruble-sanctions-against-russia-central-bank-90919/
• Analysts bet on another 50 bps hike tomorrow
– dailymirror.lk/business-news/Analysts-bet-on-another-50-bps-hike-tomorrow/273-232231
• Sri Lanka Central Bank likely to raise rates again on Friday
– http://bizenglish.adaderana.lk/sri-lanka-cenbank-likely-to-raise-rates-again-on-friday/
– economynext.com/sri-lanka-central-bank-hikes-policy-rate-100bp-to-counter-forex-crisis-91157/
• Sri Lanka price controls on credit cards, overdrafts, pawning to be raised: Central Bank
– economynext.com/sri-lanka-price-controls-on-credit-cards-overdrafts-pawning-to-be-raised-central-bank-91178/
• Sri Lanka central bank asks govt to delay capex, raise taxes, sell assets to slow forex crisis
– economynext.com/sri-lanka-central-bank-asks-govt-to-delay-capex-raise-taxes-sell-assets-to-slow-forex-crisis-91170/
• Central Bank further tightens monetary policy stance
– adaderana.lk/news/80972/central-bank-further-tightens-monetary-policy-stance
– timesonline.lk/news-online/Central-Bank-increases-interest-rates/2-1136966
– themorning.lk/cbsl-revises-sdf-and-slf-rates/
– ft.lk/top-story/CB-toughens-stance-to-ensure-macro-economic-stability/26-731536
• Business confidence continues to hold firm
‘NielsenIQ: life seems to go on’
– ft.lk/front-page/Business-confidence-continues-to-hold-firm/44-731533
• The Looting of Russia
– lankaweb.com/news/items/2022/03/03/the-looting-of-russia/
_________________________________________________________________________
C5. Workers (Inadequate Stats, Wasteful Transport, Unmodern Plantations, Services)
ee Workers attempts to correct the massive gaps and disinformation about workers, urban and rural and their representatives (trade unions, etc), and to highlight the need for organized worker power
• Ceylon Bank Employees’ Union warns of banking sector crisis, promotes IMF?
– themorning.lk/ceylon-bank-employees-union-warns-of-banking-sector-crisis/
• Sri Lanka releases USD 31 Mn for Diesel; TUs allege banks are pressured to release USD
– newsfirst.lk/2022/03/02/sri-lanka-releases-usd-31-mn-for-diesel-tus-allege-banks-are-pressured-to-release-usd/
• You Don’t Have To Apologize For Being White
– indi.ca
• Of the Culture of White Folk, W. E. B. Du Bois (1917)
– blackagendareport.com/document-culture-white-folk-w-e-b-du-bois-1917
• Exemption of Colombo city from power cuts raises many eyebrows
– island.lk/exemption-of-colombo-city-from-power-cuts-raises-many-eyebrows/
– island.lk/power-cuts-like-kissing-goes-by-favour/
• EPF, ETF and other pension funds to be exempted from Surcharge Tax Bill – AG
– dailymirror.lk/latest_news/EPF-ETF-and-other-pension-funds-to-be-exempted-from-Surcharge-Tax-Bill-AG/342-232195
– ft.lk/front-page/AG-tells-Supreme-Court-EPF-ETF-and-other-funds-will-be-exempted-from-Surcharge-Tax/44-731399
• Building up our economy to bring employment and incomes to our youth – Karunaratne
– lankaweb.com/news/items/2022/02/28/building-up-our-economy-to-bring-employment-and-incomes-to-our-youth-2/
• Sri Lanka health workers to go on strike March 02, 03 over salary anomalies, other demands
– economynext.com/sri-lanka-health-workers-to-go-on-strike-march-02-03-over-salary-anomalies-other-demands-90951/
• Docs blame Cabinet for creating public sector salary anomalies
– island.lk/docs-blame-cabinet-for-creating-public-sector-salary-anomalies/
• Health professionals launch two-day strike today (02)
– island.lk/health-professionals-launch-two-day-strike-today/
– timesonline.lk/news-online/Strike-cripple-services-in-state-hospitals/2-1136943
– newsfirst.lk/2022/03/03/health-tu-strike-to-continue-for-second-day/
– timesonline.lk/news-online/In-Pictures-Joint-Health-Workers-Union-Protest-at-General-Hospital/2-1136964
• Govt health workers in Sri Lanka to suspend strike on March 04 for 10 days
– economynext.com/govt-health-workers-in-sri-lanka-to-suspend-strike-on-march-04-for-10-days-91123/
• PHI union chief questions efficacy of vaccine storage due to power cuts
– island.lk/phi-union-chief-questions-efficacy-of-vaccines-due-to-power-cuts/
• SriLankan pilots fly the roster, claiming airline boss failed to honour pledge on pay-cut
– sundaytimes.lk/220227/news/srilankan-pilots-fly-the-roster-claiming-airline-boss-failed-to-honour-pledge-on-pay-cut-474491.html
• Ceylon Petroleum Corporation workers demand job security
– timesonline.lk/news-online/In-Pictures-CPC-workers-demand-job-security/2-1136923
• Development Officers seek meeting to discuss pressing issues
– timesonline.lk/news-online/Development-Officers-seek-meeting-to-discuss-pressing-issues/2-1136922
• President instruct to appoint CoI to resolve issues in Railway Dept
– timesonline.lk/news-online/President-instruct-to-appoint-CoI-to-resolve-issues-in-Railway-Dept/2-1136909
• No plans to revise work hours in Sri Lanka despite bigger crowds in public transport
– economynext.com/no-plans-to-revise-work-hours-in-sri-lanka-despite-bigger-crowds-in-public-transport-91120/
• Labour Ministry, WB and ILO to find avenues to fund proposed private sector pension scheme
– dailymirror.lk/business-news/Labour-Ministry-in-talks-with-WB-and-ILO-to-find-avenues-to-fund-proposed-private-sector-pension-scheme/273-232074
• Trade union says Energy Ministry has regulatory powers to intervene
– island.lk/trade-union-says-energy-ministry-has-regulatory-powers-to-intervene/
• Inflation is high but salaries may be higher
– dailymirror.lk/business-news/Inflation-is-high-but-salaries-may-be-higher/273-232071
• Fuel shortage heaps more misery on people
– timesonline.lk/news-online/In-Pictures-Fuel-shortage-heaps-more-misery-on-people/2-1136937
• On the Job Worker Compensation to be raised to 2 Million; Bill approved
– newsfirst.lk/2022/03/04/on-the-job-worker-compensation-to-be-raised-to-2-million-bill-approved/
• Workers remittances plunge to 13-year low of $ 259 m in Jan.
– ft.lk/front-page/Workers-remittances-plunge-to-13-year-low-of-259-m-in-Jan/44-731225
– economynext.com/sri-lanka-remittances-down-61-pct-in-january-2022-amid-parallel-exchange-rates-90915
• Attygalle appointed to Foreign Employment Bureau Board
‘A Director of Upali Group of Companies, President Automobile Association of Ceylon, and Chief Basnayake Nilame of Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara’
– sundaytimes.lk/220227/business-times/attygalle-appointed-to-sl-feb-473959.html
• Labour Minister proposes to cabinet to pay at least Rs. 240 per dollar
– dailymirror.lk/latest_news/Labour-Minister-proposes-to-cabinet-to-pay-at-least-Rs-240-per-dollar/342-232362
• Lankan family sues Japan over immigration detention death
– ft.lk/news/Lankan-family-sues-Japan-over-immigration-detention-death/56-731520
• 24 Seafarers trained at the Mahapola Ports & Maritime Academy of SLPA pass out
‘there are about 16,000 trained Seafarers included in the workforce’
– island.lk/24-seafarers-trained-at-the-mahapola-ports-maritime-academy-of-slpa-pass-out/
• Education system needs skills of conceptualisation
– island.lk/education-system-needs-skills-of-conceptualisation/
• Crysbro’s Praja Aruna ups living standards for deserving employees
– island.lk/crysbros-praja-aruna-ups-living-standards-for-deserving-employees/
• Japan-Educated New Dean of Faculty of Graduate Studies
– island.lk/new-dean-of-faculty-of-graduate-studies/
• Business community provides the largest quantum of jobs in the country
‘and the biggest taxpayers in the country through corporate taxes and taxes of employees’
– sundaytimes.lk/220227/business-times/grin-and-bear-473984.html
• Hemas hosts #BreaktheBias-It Starts with Me on International Women’s Day
– island.lk/hemas-hosts-breakthebias-it-starts-with-me-on-international-womens-day/
• Maharaja Group, & State Ministry for Women and Child Development launch ‘Diyaniya-2’
– newsfirst.lk/2022/03/04/phase-2-of-diyaniya-project-launched-in-colombo/
• NSBM Green University launches Second Strategic Plan – enabled by MTI
– island.lk/nsbm-green-university-launches-second-strategic-plan-enabled-by-mti/
• After A/L Gain Holistic University Experience of International standard Right Here in SL
– sundaytimes.lk/220227/education/after-al-gain-a-holistic-university-experience-of-international-standard-right-here-in-sri-lanka-474140.html
• 7,000 sign up for free online software engineering course by Moratuwa Uni.–DP Education
– ft.lk/front-page/Over-7-000-sign-up-for-free-online-software-engineering-course-by-Moratuwa-Uni-DP-Education/44-731226
• SLIM Research Bureau holds ‘Accelerating Women’s Economic Empowerment in SL’ forum
– sundaytimes.lk/220227/education/slim-research-bureau-holds-accelerating-womens-economic-empowerment-in-sri-lanka-forum-473865.html
• Meta and Sarvodaya-Fusion ‘We Think Digital’ with ‘IT Yahamaga’ for hearing-impairmed
– island.lk/meta-and-sarvodaya-fusion-partner-to-launch-we-think-digital-with-it-yahamaga-for-people-with-hearing-impairments/
• Japan to fund improving facilities of Vulnerable Support Centre in Kandy
– island.lk/japan-to-support-improving-facilities-of-support-centre-in-kandy/
• China warns citizens in U.S. about malicious attacks
– radiohc.cu/en/noticias/internacionales/287954-china-warns-citizens-in-us-about-malicious-attacks
• A Different “Fight for 15:” Haiti Garment Industry Workers Strike
– blackagendareport.com/different-fight-15-haiti-garment-industry-workers-strike
• Union Organizing at Amazon
‘This is a tech company, and this company controls a significant part of the internet. There are a lot of high-tech workers too. Increasingly, in Seattle for instance, where Amazon is basically headquartered, many mid-level Amazon workers are unable to afford to live in the city, because of Amazon’s growth and how it has really distorted the housing market. They’ve promoted a lot of luxury developments at the expense of affordable housing.’
– socialistproject.ca/2022/02/union-organizing-at-amazon/
– socialistproject.ca/2022/03/lessons-for-organizing/
_________________________________________________________________________
C6. Agriculture (Robbery of rural home market; Machines, if used, mainly imported)
ee Agriculture emphasizes the failure to industrialize an agriculture that keeps the cultivator impoverished under moneylender and merchant, and the need to develop the rural home market, monetization and commercialization, to produce, rather than import, agricultural machinery.
• The Horror Of Starvation
‘Today millions of people are being starved to death before our eyes, sentenced to suffer and die under White Empire’s most thorough and unforgiving sieges.’
– indi.ca
• Severe disruption of fertiliser supply; SL will be in a bind with mixed signals – MONLAR
‘Russia and Belarus were among the two main exporters of fertiliser’
– island.lk/severe-global-disruption-of-fertiliser-supply-lanka-will-be-in-a-bind-with-mixed-signals-from-govt-monlar/
• Ceylon Grain Elevators stung by Fx crunch, drop in local harvest
‘Singapore’s Prima Limited held 45.45 percent stake in the company followed by Employees Provident Fund with 8.92 percent stake’
– dailymirror.lk/business-news/Ceylon-Grain-Elevators-stung-by-Fx-crunch-drop-in-local-harvest/273-232145
• Fertiliser importers in a fix
‘The Yala season requires about 200,000-250,000 MT of fertiliser in the first round. They require about US$50 million to open LCs to import about 80,000 MT…Fertiliser importers mainly import Potassium from Belarus…The last payment of Rs.3.4 billion was made to industry in December 2021.’
– sundaytimes.lk/220227/business-times/fertiliser-importers-in-a-fix-473962.html
• Sri Lanka to import potassium fertiliser for Yala season
– dailymirror.lk/business-news/Sri-Lanka-to-import-potassium-fertiliser-for-Yala-season/273-232147
– ft.lk/business/Fertiliser-imports-for-paddy-cultivation-in-Yala-season/34-731335
– economynext.com/sri-lanka-to-import-potassium-fertilizer-give-subsidy-91014/
• Cultivate every inch with economically viable crops to overcome future crisis: Amaraweera
– dailymirror.lk/latest_news/Cultivate-every-inch-of-land-with-economically-viable-crops-to-overcome-future-food-crisis-Amaraweera/342-232174
• Cabinet nod for new methodology to compensate farmers
– ft.lk/business/Cabinet-nod-for-new-methodology-to-compensate-farmers/34-731334
• EU Ambassadors visit rural development projects in Central Province
– http://bizenglish.adaderana.lk/eu-ambassadors-visit-rural-development-projects-in-central-province/
• SL pays high prices for rice imports than other countries, says Myanmar
– dailymirror.lk/breaking_news/SL-pays-high-prices-for-rice-imports-than-other-countries-says-Myanmar/108-232181
• Indian trawler seized for poaching in Mannar sea
– timesonline.lk/news-online/Indian-trawler-seized-for-poaching-in-Mannar-sea/2-1136910
• Farmers, traders and fishing community hit by fuel shortage
– sundaytimes.lk/220227/news/adding-public-ire-to-fuel-474397.html
• SL’s challenged fisheries sector needs renewed thinking and approaches: WB
– dailymirror.lk/business-news/SLs-challenged-fisheries-sector-needs-renewed-thinking-and-approaches-WB/273-232404
• Farmers, tuk drivers distressed by fuel crisis
– themorning.lk/farmers-tuk-drivers-distressed-by-fuel-crisis/
• Sri Lanka coconut export earnings up 26-pct to US$834 mln
– economynext.com/sri-lanka-coconut-export-earning-up-26-pct-to-us834-mln-91063/
• Sri Lanka Insurance SLIC to help transform farmers to entrepreneurs
– sundaytimes.lk/220227/business-times/slic-to-help-transform-farmers-to-entrepreneurs-473973.html
• Sri Lanka import 45-pct of wheat, other grains, sunflower oil from Russia, Ukraine: IPS
– economynext.com/sri-lanka-import-45-pct-of-wheat-other-grains-sunflower-oil-from-russia-ukraine-ips-90950/
• Spotlight on Bibile Bittersweet responses for sugar producing project
– dailymirror.lk/expose/Spotlight-on-Bibile-Bittersweet-responses-for-sugar-producing-project/333-232058
• Sathosa, CSC to sell turmeric powder at Rs.2,400 per kg from today
– dailymirror.lk/latest_news/SATHOSA-CSC-to-sell-turmeric-powder-at-Rs-2-400-per-kg-from-today/342-232082
• CBL’s farmer network goes digital with CBL’s SMART AGRO app
‘SMART AGRO app partially funded by the International Labour Organization (ILO)’
– island.lk/cbls-farmer-network-goes-digital-with-cbls-smart-agro-app/
• Sri Lanka tea industry braced for Russia-Ukraine fallout
– economynext.com/sri-lanka-tea-industry-braced-for-russia-ukraine-fallout-91001/
• Tea exports to Russia and Ukraine come to grinding halt
– dailymirror.lk/business__main/Tea-exports-to-Russia-and-Ukraine-come-to-grinding-halt/245-232155
• Russia continues to buy Ceylon Tea
– timesonline.lk/business/Russia-continues-to-buy-Ceylon-Tea/10-1136956
– dailymirror.lk/business-news/This-weeks-tea-auction-prices-largely-unaffected-by-Russia-Ukraine-crisis/273-232399
• National tea sales average reaches all time high in Feb.
– dailymirror.lk/business-news/National-tea-sales-average-reaches-all-time-high-in-Feb/273-232398
• LOLC Group’s Maturata Plantations Sets an All-Time Record Tea Price.
‘The sale was passed through M/s Bartleet Produce Marketing’
– dailymirror.lk/press-releases/Maturata-Plantations-Sets-an-All-Time-Record-Price-/335-231257
• Forbes & Walker Tea Brokers marketed Doombagastalawa tea achieves all-time record price
– ft.lk/business/Doombagastalawa-achieves-all-time-record-price/34-731338
• Fisherfolk from across Sri Lanka protest alleged Indian poaching
– economynext.com/fisherfolk-from-across-sri-lanka-protest-alleged-indian-poaching-90911/
• Sea cucumber farming spells death to traditional coastal fishing in north
– sundaytimes.lk/220227/news/sea-cucumber-farming-spells-death-to-traditional-coastal-fishing-in-north-474352.html
– timesonline.lk/news-online/Sea-cucumber-farming-spells-death-to-traditional-coastal-fishing-in-north/2-1136908
• Seven detained Sri Lankan fishermen pardoned by Myanmar
– adaderana.lk/news/80943/seven-detained-sri-lankan-fishermen-pardoned-by-myanmar
– timesonline.lk/news-online/Seven-Sri-Lankan-fishermen-detained-in-Myanmar-granted-pardon/2-1136947
• Local Agarwood Products
– facebook.com/108680117197407/posts/831135598285185/
• Understanding dynamics of the illicit tobacco market in Sri Lanka – Research Intelligence Unit
– ft.lk/opinion/Understanding-the-dynamics-of-the-illicit-tobacco-market-in-Sri-Lanka/14-731187
• Are we deceived by Customs, Trade Ministry, BOI, and CEA?
– island.lk/are-we-deceived-by-customs-trade-ministry-boi-and-cea/
• Hayleys among first in South Asia for regional GRI Charter Member for ESG reporting
– island.lk/hayleys-among-first-in-south-asia-to-sign-up-as-regional-gri-charter-member/
• Baurs facilitates revisit of Swiss experts to assist SL’s efforts towards organic agriculture
– ft.lk/agriculture/Baurs-facilitates-revisit-of-Swiss-experts-to-assist-SL-s-efforts-towards-organic-agriculture/31-731193
– island.lk/baurs-facilitates-swiss-experts-visit-to-assist-sls-efforts-towards-organic-agriculture/
• Sri Lanka Insurance partners with SLIM Agrisaviya to nurture the agriculture sector
‘the first Agri-Business Management and Entrepreneurial Programme offered in Sri Lanka’
– island.lk/sri-lanka-insurance-partners-with-slim-agrisaviya-to-nurture-the-agriculture-sector-2/
• Farmchemie and Feed Chemie bags 3 Ceylon National Chamber of Industries Achiever Awards
– island.lk/farmchemie-and-feed-chemie-bags-three-cnci-achiever-awards/
• Asia-Pacific countries to transform agrifood systems through digital technologies
– ft.lk/columns/Asia-Pacific-countries-to-transform-agrifood-systems-through-innovation-and-digital-technologies/4-731316
• Asian Development Bank Institute (ADBI) research project on coastal hard structures
– island.lk/mawella-bay-extolled-by-lonely-planet-faces-threat-of-destruction/
• Zoo remains headless for fifth consecutive week; probe on DG’s complaint continues
– sundaytimes.lk/220227/news/zoo-remains-headless-for-fifth-consecutive-week-probe-on-dgs-complaint-continues-474514.html
• Suduwelipotha: Ruk Rakaganno on a reforesting mission in Sinharaja
– sundaytimes.lk/220227/plus/suduwelipotha-ruk-rakaganno-on-a-reforesting-mission-in-sinharaja-474008.html
• Platform for greater citizen engagement and effective action on illegal environmental activities
‘UNDP in Sri Lanka, in collaboration with the Ministry of Wildlife and Forest Conservation, the Citra Social Innovation Lab, and the Centre for Environmental Justice (CEJ). The initiative is supported through UNDP’s Global Project – Anti-Corruption for Peaceful and Inclusive Societies (ACPIS) funded by Norad, the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation’
– island.lk/platform-for-greater-citizen-engagement-and-effective-action-on-illegal-environmental-activities-to-be-introduced-2/
• WNPS partners LOLC to monitor Sri Lankan leopard
‘six research stations will be set up in identified locations across Okanda or Panama, Morningside, Killinochchi, Belihuloya, Maskeliya or Nallathaniya, Sigiriya or Ritigala’
– island.lk/wnps-partners-lolc-to-establish-multi-regional-monitoring-system-for-conservation-of-sri-lankan-leopard/
• Why Sri Lanka’s wetlands need to be protected
– dailymirror.lk/plus/Why-Sri-Lankas-wetlands-need-to-be-protected/352-231727
• Harassed whales leaving Mirissa seas
– themorning.lk/harassed-whales-leaving-mirissa-seas/
• Global Seafood Supply Contaminated by Microplastics, but Major News Outlets Are Silent
– newsclick.in/global-seafood-supply-contaminated-microplastics-major-news-outlets-silent
_____________________________________________________________________
C7. Industry (False definitions, anti-industrial sermons, rentier/entrepreneur, etc)
ee Industry notes the ignorance about industrialization (versus handicraft and manufacture), the dependence on importing foreign machinery, the need to make machines that make machines, build a producer culture. False definitions of industry, entrepreneur, etc, abound, and the need for a holistic political, economic and military strategy to overcome domination by merchants and moneylenders.
• Supreme Court refuses to grant leave to proceed with petitions against Yugadanavi deal
– adaderana.lk/news/80974/sc-refuses-to-grant-leave-to-proceed-with-petitions-against-yugadanavi-deal
– themorning.lk/yugadanavi-petitions-sc-refuses-to-grant-leave-to-proceed/
– newsfirst.lk/2022/03/04/supreme-court-dismisses-all-petition-against-yugadanavi-agreement/
• What Power Cuts In Sri Lanka Have To Do With You
– indi.ca
• S.B Dissanayake replaces Wimal as Industries Minister
– dailymirror.lk/breaking_news/S-B-replaces-Wimal-as-Industries-Minister/108-232284
• Legal officer under probe for fixing registrations of drug companies
– island.lk/legal-officer-under-probe-for-fixing-registrations-of-drug-companies/
• 85% of pharmaceutical products are imported, and these imports are paid for by US dollars’
‘unrealistic price regulations have hindered the importation of drugs’
– ft.lk/front-page/Delays-with-design-and-dollars-dampen-drug-imports/44-731401
– economynext.com/sri-lanka-in-drug-shortages-due-to-price-controls-forex-crisis-nmra-delays-91070/
– newsfirst.lk/2022/03/02/dollar-crisis-to-lead-to-pharmaceutical-crisis-industry-urges-immediate-solutions/
• Shortage of medicines likely to exacerbate from Paracetamol to life-saving drugs: SLCPI
– island.lk/shortage-of-medicines-likely-to-exacerbate-from-paracetamol-to-life-saving-drugs-slcpi/
– themorning.lk/pharma-shortage-of-20-25-looms/
• Pharma industry relieved by Paracetamol price adjustment
– adaderana.lk/news/80946/maximum-retail-price-declared-for-paracetamol
– island.lk/health-ministry-sets-maximum-price-of-paracetamol-tablet-at-rs-2-30/
– themorning.lk/medicine-price-hike-under-review/
– ft.lk/front-page/Pharma-industry-relieved-by-Paracetamol-price-adjustment/44-731531
• Travel ban on former SPC Chair and G.R. critic temporarily lifted
– themorning.lk/travel-ban-on-former-spc-chair-and-g-r-critic-temporarily-lifted/
• Russia’s war on Ukraine could triple ocean shipping rates to $30,000 per container, expert says
– businessinsider.com/russia-war-ukraine-could-triple-ocean-shipping-rates-experts-2022-3
• $500 m Lankan trade with Russia, Ukraine at stake as shipping lines pull out
– ft.lk/front-page/500-m-Lankan-trade-with-Russia-Ukraine-at-stake-as-shipping-lines-pull-out/44-731300
• Why does a country need a clear “Mineral Policy”?
‘all minerals mined are exported as raw-materials without taking them to a second step of processing’
– dailymirror.lk/opinion/Why-does-a-country-need-a-clear-Mineral-Policy/231-231948
• CEB officials get personal benefits emergency power from private diesel power plants.
– island.lk/role-of-solar-energy-in-overcoming-sri-lankas-energy-crisis/
• OPEC+ set to confirm modest April output rise despite oil price spike
– dailymirror.lk/business-news/OPEC-set-to-confirm-modest-April-output-rise-despite-oil-price-spike/273-232222
• Free Trade Zone manufacturers warn $ 4 b export loss
‘FTZMA companies earn around $ 3 billion or 30% of total export income, whilst balance 70% is generated by factories outside the EPZs. This includes both apparel and non-apparel industrial exports…Sri Lanka has 15 EPZs operating in Katunayake, Biyagama, Koggala, Kandy, Mirigama, Malwatta, Seethawaka, Mirijjawila, Wathupitiwala, Horana, Polgahawela, Mawathagama, Wagawatta I, Wagawatta II and Bingiriya. There are 273 factories operating in these EPZs with nearly 140,000 employees, whilst 1,615 factories under the BOI purview which are situated outside the EPZs where 580,000 are directly employed and around one million are indirectly employed via these factories. Over 70% of the export income is provided by this workforce.
– ft.lk/top-story/Free-Trade-Zone-manufacturers-warn-4-b-export-loss/26-731405
• Govt. urged to declare fuel supply as essential for power generation
– sundaytimes.lk/220227/news/govt-urged-to-declare-fuel-supply-as-essential-for-power-generation-474520.html
• Hullabaloo surrounding the CEB, CPC confrontations
– ft.lk/columns/Hullabaloo-surrounding-the-CEB-CPC-confrontations/4-731250
• CEB headed for sharp tariff revision, dates yet undecided
‘2.3 million of the country’s 6.7 million electricity consumers pay monthly bills of less that Rs. 150. Besides, places of religious worship, industries, hotels etc. enjoy heavily subsidized rates and a revision is imperative… domestic tariffs are calculated on a sliding scale with small consumers charged Rs. 7.85 per unit on the first 62 units consumed, Rs. 10 on the next 31 units and rising thereafter. Higher consumers on the upper slabs pay more depending on consumption going up to Rs. 45 a unit for consumption between 187 and 555 units’
– island.lk/ceb-headed-for-sharp-tariff-revision-dates-yet-undecided/
• Lanka needs US$1,285mn for three months of oil, US$500mn from India: Minister
– island.lk/lanka-needs-us1285mn-for-three-months-of-oil-us500mn-from-india-minister/
• CEB to go to the people with energy conservation mechanisms
– sundaytimes.lk/220227/news/ceb-to-go-to-the-people-with-energy-conservation-mechanisms-474500.html
• Dec. 3 blackout: Committee recommends police probe
– sundaytimes.lk/220227/news/dec-3-blackout-committee-recommends-police-probe-474496.html
• Most private buses cannot operate due to diesel shortage
– island.lk/half-private-bus-fleet-failed-to-run-yesterday-due-to-fuel-shortage/
• Diesel for private buses through SLTB depots in two-three days: Dilum
‘Daily, 400,000 liters of diesel is required to run the state owned SLTB buses while 531,000 liters of diesel for the country’s fleet of 11,000 private busses’
– dailymirror.lk/breaking_news/Diesel-for-private-buses-through-SLTB-depots-in-two-three-days-Dilum/108-232029
• Inter-provincial buses to stop services tomorrow?: Inter-Provincial Private Bus Association
– dailymirror.lk/breaking_news/Inter-provincial-buses-likely-to-stop-services-tomorrow-IPPBA/108-232010
• Private buses to only operate during Office & School hours
– newsfirst.lk/2022/03/01/private-buses-to-only-operate-during-office-school-hours/
• Transport providers in Sri Lanka struggle to find fuel amid shortage
– economynext.com/transport-providers-in-sri-lanka-struggle-to-find-fuel-amid-shortage-90927/
• Address fuel shortage to prevent collapse of public transport: Sri Lanka private bus owners
– economynext.com/address-fuel-shortage-to-prevent-collapse-of-public-transport-sri-lanka-private-bus-owners-90914/
• No arrangements to refuel the more than 30,000 school vans and buses carrying children
– island.lk/those-who-bankrupted-country-should-resign-eran/
• Diesel shortage: 90 percent of private buses non-operational
‘There are about 11,000 private buses operating in the country according to the Ministry of Transport. These buses need around 531,000 litres of diesel a day.’
– island.lk/diesel-shortage-90-percent-of-private-buses-non-operational/
• LIOC increasing fuel prices, contrary to the existing agreements.
– island.lk/trade-union-says-energy-ministry-has-regulatory-powers-to-intervene/
– economynext.com/sri-lanka-ioc-unit-raises-petrol-to-rs204-diesel-to-rs139-a-litre-90905/
• CPC employees demand price increase
‘Ceylon Petroleum Corporation Employees staged a protest outside the CPC Kolonnawa revealing the government’s move to sell the institute, claiming that the corporation was incurring a huge loss.’
– ft.lk/ft_tv/CPC-employees-demand-price-increase/10520-731240
• CEB scrambling for alternate fuel sources
– themorning.lk/ceb-scrambling-for-alternate-fuel-sources/
• Cannot deliver diesel for power plants right now; says Energy Ministry
– newsfirst.lk/2022/02/28/cannot-deliver-diesel-for-power-plants-right-now-says-energy-ministry/
• Energy Minister Gammanpila calls on Govt. to prioritise its needs
– ft.lk/front-page/Energy-Minister-calls-on-Govt-to-prioritise-its-needs/44-731269
• Gammanpila: How could I import fuel without govt. help?
– island.lk/gammanpila-how-could-i-import-fuel-without-govt-help/
• Omani firm secures deal to supply 1.8mn barrels of petrol to Sri Lanka
– dailymirror.lk/business-news/Omani-firm-secures-deal-to-supply-1-8mn-barrels-of-petrol-to-Sri-Lanka/273-232150
• Sri Lanka gives 1.9mn barrel petrol supply deal to UAEs OQ Trading
– economynext.com/sri-lanka-gives-1-9mn-barrel-petrol-supply-deal-to-uaes-oq-trading-91010/
• A shipment of 37,300 MT diesel received
– dailymirror.lk/latest_news/A-shipment-of-37-300-MT-diesel-received/342-232191
• Rubber products sector requests uninterrupted power and fuel
– dailymirror.lk/business-news/SLAMERP-requests-uninterrupted-power-and-fuel-for-manufacturing-and-export-sector/273-232143
– ft.lk/business/Rubber-products-sector-requests-uninterrupted-power-and-fuel/34-731342
• Wrong monetary, foreign exchange policies hinder fuel imports: PUCSL Chairman
– dailymirror.lk/latest_news/Wrong-monetary-foreign-exchange-policies-hinder-fuel-imports-PUCSL-Chairman/342-232173
• Fresh shock to economy with over 7-hour power cut
– ft.lk/top-story/Fresh-shock-to-economy-with-over-7-hour-power-cut/26-731297
• PUCSL to take legal action to get dollars required to import fuel
– ft.lk/front-page/PUCSL-to-take-legal-action-to-get-dollars-required-to-import-fuel/44-731298
• How can affordable electricity be assured 24×7?
– ft.lk/columns/How-can-affordable-electricity-be-assured-24×7/4-731292
• Sri Lanka power regulator seeks US$150mn for fuel for 60-days
– economynext.com/sri-lanka-power-regulator-seeks-us150mn-for-fuel-for-60-days-91038/
• Sri Lanka pays USD 31 million for diesel shipment
– adaderana.lk/news/80932/sri-lanka-pays-usd-31-million-for-diesel-shipment
• PUCSL chief slams CB’s misguided policies for current power crisis
– dailymirror.lk/business-news/PUCSL-chief-slams-CBs-misguided-policies-for-current-power-crisis/273-232228
• President assures PUCSL of fuel to generate electricity
– dailymirror.lk/business-news/President-assures-PUCSL-of-fuel-to-generate-electricity/273-232227
• CPC to provide fuel to fisheries sector
– themorning.lk/cpc-to-provide-fuel-to-fisheries-sector/
• 20% container carriers out of operation: All Ceylon Container Carrier Owners’ Association
– themorning.lk/fuel-crisis-puts-20-of-container-carriers-out-of-operation/
• 26 in Grandpass arrested for electricity theft
– newsfirst.lk/2022/03/03/126-in-grandpass-arrested-for-electricity-theft/
• Indian Oil Corp to supply fuels to Sri Lanka in 4-5 month deal
– dailymirror.lk/breaking_news/Indian-Oil-Corp-to-supply-fuels-to-Sri-Lanka-in-4-5-month-deal/108-232283
– economynext.com/sri-lanka-likely-to-receive-fuel-shipment-under-indian-credit-this-month-91166/
– ft.lk/front-page/IOC-agrees-fuel-deal-for-crisis-hit-Sri-Lanka/44-731530
• Sri Lanka sees LP gas shortages re-emerge amid forex crisis
– economynext.com/sri-lanka-sees-lp-gas-shortages-re-emerge-amid-forex-crisis-91134/
– themorning.lk/gas-shortage-in-the-cards-litro-laugfs-face-difficulties-opening-lcs-for-gas-imports/
• Gas companies cut down on production; dealers selling cylinders at higher prices
– newsfirst.lk/2022/03/05/gas-companies-cut-down-on-production-dealers-selling-cylinders-at-higher-prices/
• Sri Lanka CPC has not decided to raise fuel prices despite mounting losses
– economynext.com/sri-lanka-cpc-has-not-decided-to-raise-fuel-prices-despite-mounting-losses-91127/
• CBSL advises govt to increase fuel prices, electricity tariffs to reflect cost
– adaderana.lk/news/80973/cbsl-advises-govt-to-increase-fuel-prices-electricity-tariffs-to-reflect-cost
– island.lk/central-bank-urges-govt-to-increase-fuel-prices-and-electricity-tariffs/
– island.lk/fuel-price-revision-and-electricity-tariff-hike-among-eight-measures-proposed-by-cbsl/
– dailymirror.lk/latest_news/CBSL-informs-govt-to-increase-fuel-prices-electricity-tariffs-urgently/342-232358
• Finance Ministry approves sale of fuel to power generation companies from JCT oil bank facility
– themorning.lk/finance-ministry-approves-sale-of-fuel-to-power-generation-companies-from-jct-oil-bank-facility/
• Sajith claims three ME countries ready to provide fuel at concession rate, but not to this regime
– island.lk/sajith-claims-three-me-countries-ready-to-provide-fuel-at-concession-rate-but-not-to-this-regime/
• Brent crude oil prices hit US $116 per barrel
– newsfirst.lk/2022/03/03/brent-crude-oil-prices-hit-us-116-per-barrel/
• Oil prices hit multi-year highs as US sanctions target Russian refiners
– ft.lk/front-page/Oil-prices-hit-multi-year-highs-as-US-sanctions-target-Russian-refiners/44-731426
– themorning.lk/oil-prices-hit-multi-year-highs-as-supply-tightens/
• Demand for generators skyrocket, suppliers run out of stock
– themorning.lk/demand-for-generators-skyrocket-suppliers-run-out-of-stock/
• Despite President and officials assurance, people to suffer more power cuts
– ft.lk/front-page/Despite-President-and-officials-assurance-people-to-suffer-more-power-cuts/44-731524
• Foreign nationals become latest victims of fuel shortage
– newsfirst.lk/2022/03/05/foreign-nationals-become-latest-victims-of-fuel-shortage/
• China Machinery Engineering Corporation transmission contract for ADB electricity project
– dailymirror.lk/business-news/CMEC-bags-transmission-line-contract-for-ADB-funded-electricity-project/273-232151
– ft.lk/business/Chinese-firm-gets-power-contract-by-Govt/34-731336
• Norlanka unveils solar energy project at Trincomalee plant
– timesonline.lk/business/Norlanka-unveils-solar-energy-project-at-Trincomalee-plant/10-1136927
• SL agreement with Norway’s Greenstat India for feasibility on green hydrogen pilot project
– ft.lk/front-page/SL-signs-agreement-with-Greenstat-India-for-feasibility-on-green-hydrogen-pilot-project/44-731267
• Role of solar energy in overcoming Sri Lanka’s energy crisis
– island.lk/role-of-solar-energy-in-overcoming-sri-lankas-energy-crisis/
• Problem of so-called unreliability of solar and wind energy
– island.lk/problem-of-so-called-unreliability-of-solar-and-wind-energy/
• More bicycles for Sri Lanka Police
– newswire.lk/2022/03/02/more-bicycles-for-sri-lanka-police/
• West Container Terminal project: Agreements signed with Adani Ports, other partners
– sundaytimes.lk/220227/news/west-container-terminal-project-agreements-signed-with-adani-ports-other-partners-474508.html
• Sierra Construction wins bid for Seethawaka EPZ Wastewater Treatment Plant project
– timesonline.lk/business/Sierra-Construction-wins-bid-for-Seethawaka-EPZ-Wastewater-Treatment-Plant-project/10-1136926
• Excessive chlorine used for water purification, allege Rainforest Protectors
– themorning.lk/excessive-chlorine-used-for-water-purification-allege-rainforest-protectors/
• HNB partnership with United Mercury Group (UMG) Lanka for MATADOR machinery
‘leading agricultural and construction equipment provider’
– island.lk/hnb-renews-partnership-with-umg-lanka-for-exclusive-offers-on-matador-machinery/
• Korea International Cooperation Agency grant to Road Development Authority (RDA)
‘through the Ministry of Highways to implement the Enhancement of National Traffic Database and Capacity Building project’
– island.lk/koica-provides-us-4-million-grant-to-rda/
• WindForce delays Senegal project
– sundaytimes.lk/220227/business-times/windforce-delays-senegal-project-473976.html
• Indian IT firm HCL given SDP status for US$ 10.25mn investment here
– sundaytimes.lk/220227/news/indian-it-firm-given-sdp-status-for-us-10-25mn-investment-here-474526.html
• Hutch completes successful implementation of advanced Oracle Cloud ERP system
– dailymirror.lk/business-news/Hutch-completes-successful-implementation-of-advanced-Oracle-Cloud-ERP-system/273-232308
• Grow opens Sri Lanka office to aid adoption of Blockchain, Web 3.0
– ft.lk/front-page/Grow-opens-Sri-Lanka-office-to-aid-adoption-of-Blockchain-Web-3-0/44-731302
– island.lk/grow-opens-new-sri-lanka-office-to-aid-the-adoption-of-blockchain-and-web-3-0/
• Rubber prices up by Rs.10
– timesonline.lk/business/Rubber-prices-up-by-Rs-10/10-1136957
• PGP Glass Ceylon achieves milestone of over Rs.1 bln post-tax profit at least
– timesonline.lk/business/PGP-Glass-Ceylon-achieves-milestone-of-over-Rs-1-bln-post-tax-profit/10-1136925
• INSEE Pyrolysis Plant at hijacked Puttalam Cement Plant
– island.lk/insee-ecocycle-opens-a-cutting-edge-pyrolysis-plant-to-convert-industrial-waste-into-valuable-resources-that-will-contribute-to-the-circular-economy/
• Construction Associations to stop govt. construction projects
– dailymirror.lk/latest_news/Construction-Associations-to-stop-govt-construction-projects/342-232272
• Government gives land to defunct paper factory to restart operations as PPP
‘restart operations of the country’s second oldest paper mill Embilipitiya paper factory as a joint venture with Korean Spa Packaging’
– dailymirror.lk/business-news/Government-gives-land-to-defunct-paper-factory-to-restart-operations-as-PPP/273-232154
– economynext.com/sri-lanka-to-give-defunct-state-paper-factory-111-acre-land-on-30-year-lease-91007/
• Explainer: Why Russia drives European gas prices
‘several European countries have pumped billions into measures to shield households from the impact of record high energy costs’
– reuters.com/business/energy/why-russia-drives-european-gas-prices-2022-01-21/
• World’s largest plane destroyed in Ukraine (fake story)
– dailymirror.lk/breaking_news/Worlds-largest-plane-destroyed-in-Ukraine/108-232018
• Tulsi Gabbard’s Revelations: Industrial-Military Combo profiting from the Ukraine Crisis
– lankaweb.com/news/items/2022/02/27/tulsi-gabbards-revelations-the-industrial-military-combo-profiting-from-the-ukraine-crisis/
• New US sanctions on Russia’s defense industry ‘won’t have significant impact’
– globaltimes.cn/page/202203/1253960.shtml
• Russian, Belarusian biz on hold proves AIIB follows market mechanism, slams Western smear
– globaltimes.cn/page/202203/1253961.shtml
• China’s Redesigned Long March-8 Launches 22 Satellites Into Orbit in Single Ride
– newsclick.in/china-redesigned-long-march-8-launches-22-satellites-orbit-single-ride
• Acid irony that Pompeo is implicated by Taiwan island’s outage: Global Times editorial
– globaltimes.cn/page/202203/1253902.shtml
• Japan’s industrial output falls 1.3% on month in Jan
‘industries that mainly contributed to the decrease in production in the recording period were motor vehicles, iron, steel and nonferrous metals and inorganic and organic chemicals…industries helping to trim losses by their output gaining in the recording period, included electronic parts and devices, production machinery, chemicals…’
– globaltimes.cn/page/202202/1253465.shtml
• Patents, Profits and Squabbles for Share in Profit Pie – Pandemic Story of Moderna
– newsclick.in/patents-profits-and-squabbles-share-profit-pie-pandemic-story-moderna
• Moscow Stock Exchange Can’t Open as Russian Stock Prices Collapse on Foreign Exchanges
– wallstreetonparade.com/2022/02/moscow-stock-exchange-cant-open-as-russian-stock-prices-collapse-on-foreign-exchanges/
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C8. Finance (Making money from money, banks, lack of investment in modernity)
ee Finance tracks the effects of financialization, the curious role of ratings agencies, false indices, etc., and the rule of moneylenders, preventing investment in modern production.
• StanChart expects CB to maintain status quo
‘high likelihood of domestic fuel prices being hiked sharply by over 10 percent in the near term, given higher crude oil prices, which are expected to lead to greater inflationary pressure’
– dailymirror.lk/business-news/StanChart-expects-CB-to-maintain-status-quo/273-232230
• Mapping Development Finance Institutions Worldwide: Definitions, Rationales and Varieties
– nse.pku.edu.cn/dfidatabase/databasereports/517164.htm
• US and DFCC Bank provide MSMEs financing to women and youth
– island.lk/us-and-dfcc-bank-provide-msmes-financing-to-women-and-youth/
• Cargills joins Central Bank in conducting training workshops for local SMEs
– island.lk/cargills-joins-central-bank-in-conducting-training-workshops-for-local-smes/
• World Bank’s IFC appoints Lisa Kaestner as Country Manager for Sri Lanka and Maldives
– dailymirror.lk/business-news/IFC-appoints-Lisa-Kaestner-as-Country-Manager-for-Sri-Lanka-and-Maldives/273-232149
• SL to develop island in the North as duty-free hub
– dailymirror.lk/business-news/SL-to-develop-island-in-the-North-as-duty-free-hub/273-232144
• Bank of Ceylon (BOC) 2021 Profit before tax Rs.43.2bn;
– dailymirror.lk/business-news/BOC-concludes-2021-with-unprecedented-value-creation-for-all-stakeholders/273-232076
• National Development Bank profit at least Rs. 10.3 billion for 2021
– sundaytimes.lk/220227/business-times/ndb-records-strong-performance-for-2021-473956.html
• Amana Bank 2021 PBT up by 42%, crosses Rs. 1b milestone
– sundaytimes.lk/220227/business-times/amana-bank-2021-pbt-up-by-42-crosses-rs-1b-milestone-473953.html
• Union Bank 4Q profits up
‘US-based private equity firm TPG’s Culture Financial Holdings has 70.84% stake in Union Bank’
– dailymirror.lk/business-news/Union-Bank-4Q-profits-up-but-loan-growth-sluggish/273-232070
• ComBank delivers strong 4Q though profits dented by higher provisions
‘Being its single largest shareholder, DFCC Bank has 12.12 percent stake in Commercial Bank while the Employees’ Provident Fund has 8.62 percent stake being its third largest shareholder. Business tycoon Dhammika Perera upped his stake in the bank to 3.17 percent during the final quarter from 1.84 percent as at September 30, 2021, while L.E.M Yaseen and Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation were identified as major sellers of ComBank shares during the quarter’
– dailymirror.lk/business-news/ComBank-delivers-strong-4Q-though-profits-dented-by-higher-provisions/273-231987
– economynext.com/sri-lankas-commercial-bank-net-down-11-pct-in-dec-21-amid-loan-losses-90947/
• Commercial Bank’s new Chair A. K. W. Jayawardane, Deputy Chair Sharhan Muhseen
‘Prof. Jayawardane is also a Director of Sierra Cables PLC…Muhseen worked for Credit Suisse, Bank of America Merrill Lynch and JPMorgan’
– island.lk/top-academic-to-lead-combank-board/
– dailymirror.lk/business-news/Prof-Jayawardane-to-take-over-as-Chairman-from-March-1/273-231985
– ft.lk/front-page/New-Chairman-Deputy-Chairman-at-ComBank/44-731227
– http://bizenglish.adaderana.lk/top-academic-to-lead-combank-board/
• New appointments to Merchant Bank of Sri Lanka and Finance PLC (MBSL)’s board
– dailymirror.lk/financial-news/New-appointments-strengthen-MBSLs-board/265-231973
• Sri Lanka’s Richard Pieris Finance ‘AA-(lka)’ rating confirmed on parent’s support
– economynext.com/sri-lankas-richard-pieris-finance-aa-lka-rating-confirmed-on-parents-support-90944/
• CSE discussing with firms flouting minimum float to delist
– sundaytimes.lk/220227/business-times/cse-discussing-with-firms-flouting-minimum-float-to-delist-473991.html
• SL’s financial literacy rate low at 35 %
– sundaytimes.lk/220227/business-times/sls-financial-literacy-rate-low-at-35-473965.html
• CSE plunge halts on Friday, forced sales over?
‘ending of compulsory forced share sales imposed on margin traders playing market and broker credit’
– island.lk/cse-plunge-halts-on-friday-forced-sales-over/
• Stock market gains amid positive retail activity
– dailymirror.lk/business-news/Stock-market-gains-amid-positive-retail-activity/273-232075
• Sri Lanka stock index recovers further after steep fall; concerns remain
– economynext.com/sri-lanka-stock-index-recovers-further-after-steep-fall-concerns-remain-90978/
• Sri Lanka stocks recover from 3-1/2-month low on bargain hunting
– economynext.com/sri-lanka-stocks-recover-from-3-1-2-month-low-on-bargain-hunting-90895/
• Sri Lanka stock index down over extended power cuts, economic concerns
– economynext.com/sri-lanka-stock-index-down-over-extended-power-cuts-economic-concerns-91062/
• Dip in CSE investor participation following policy interest rate hike speculation
– island.lk/dip-in-cse-investor-participation-following-policy-interest-rate-hike-speculation/
• Sri Lanka stocks slip at open after 100bp rate hike
– economynext.com/sri-lanka-stocks-slip-at-open-after-100bp-rate-hike-91192/
• Sri Lanka stocks fall over rate hike expectation amid economic concerns
– economynext.com/sri-lanka-stocks-fall-over-rate-hike-expectation-amid-economic-concerns-91148/
• Considerable lift for export business shares
– island.lk/considerable-lift-for-export-business-shares/
• Stock market manages to close positive after 5 weeks of negativity
– ft.lk/front-page/Stock-market-manages-to-close-positive-after-5-weeks-of-negativity/44-731534
• Stock market remains negative as macro concerns keep investors away
– ft.lk/financial-services/Stock-market-remains-negative-as-macro-concerns-keep-investors-away/42-731448
• Sri Lanka stock index recovers on depreciation hopes after rate hike
– economynext.com/sri-lanka-stock-index-recovers-on-depreciation-hopes-after-rate-hike-91224/
• Sri Lanka stocks slip at open after 100bp rate hike
– economynext.com/sri-lanka-stocks-slip-at-open-after-100bp-rate-hike-91192/
• Sri Lanka bond yields flat at close, indicative dollar at Rs.202
– economynext.com/sri-lanka-bond-yields-flat-at-close-indicative-dollar-at-rs-202-91132/
• Sri Lanka bond yields marginally up, indicative dollar at Rs201.05
– economynext.com/sri-lanka-central-bank-suggest-tax-increases-on-700-items-dollar-taxed-imports-of-cars-90939/
• Sri Lanka sells Rs32.4bn in bonds, yields edge up
– economynext.com/sri-lanka-sells-rs32-4bn-in-bonds-yields-edge-up-90901/
• Sri Lanka bond yields up at close, indicative dollar Rs.201.89
– economynext.com/sri-lanka-bond-yields-up-at-close-indicative-dollar-rs-201-89-91061/
• Sri Lanka bond yields up, indicative dollar at Rs.201.05
– economynext.com/sri-lanka-bond-yields-up-indicative-dollar-at-rs-201-05-91040/
• Sri Lanka’s Treasuries yields soar across maturities, one year up 142-bp
– economynext.com/sri-lankas-treasuries-yields-soar-across-maturities-one-year-up-142-bp-91051/
• Sri Lanka bond yields up in mid-morning trade
– economynext.com/sri-lanka-bond-yields-up-in-mid-morning-trade-91112/
• Treasury bill yields soar across all maturities fuelling rate hike bets
– dailymirror.lk/business-news/Treasury-bill-yields-soar-across-all-maturities-fuelling-rate-hike-bets/273-232327
• Sri Lanka bond yields marginally down in mid-morning trade
– economynext.com/sri-lanka-bond-yields-marginally-down-in-mid-morning-trade-91200/
• Major Corporations Sever Relations as Moscow Exchange Shuttered for Second Day
– wallstreetonparade.com/2022/03/major-corporations-sever-relations-with-russia-as-moscow-stock-exchange-is-shuttered-for-a-second-day/
• Moscow Stock Exchange Can’t Open as Russian Stock Prices Collapse on Foreign Exchanges
– wallstreetonparade.com/2022/02/moscow-stock-exchange-cant-open-as-russian-stock-prices-collapse-on-foreign-exchanges/
• Share Prices of Russia’s Largest Companies Drop on the London Stock Exchange Today
– wallstreetonparade.com/2022/03/share-prices-of-russias-largest-companies-drop-to-pennies-on-the-london-stock-exchange-today/
• Russian Companies Are Being “Erased” on Stock Exchanges Around the World
– wallstreetonparade.com/2022/03/as-putin-erases-lives-schools-and-apartment-buildings-in-ukraine-russian-companies-are-being-erased-on-stock-exchanges-around-the-world/
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C9. Business (Rentierism: money via imports, real-estate, tourism, insurance, fear, privatization)
ee Business focuses on the rentier diversions of the oligarchy, the domination by a merchant mafia, making money from unproductive land sales, tourism, insurance, advertising, etc. – the charade of corporate press releases disguised as ‘news’
• Exporters call on Govt. to resort to course correction
– ft.lk/front-page/Exporters-call-on-Govt-to-resort-to-course-correction/44-731529
• T.S. Prakash takes over as Indian CEO Forum-Sri Lanka (ICF) president
‘member companies represent diverse industries – from automobile, banking, cement, and FMCG to fuel, glass, hospitality, infrastructure, logistics, packaging, paint, and pharmaceuticals, etc. New board: President T.S. Prakash, Beauty Products, Immediate Past President – Umesh Gautam, Lanka Ashok Leyland, Vice President, Kishore Reddy, Platinum Realty Investment, Secretary Pankaj Sampat, TAJ Asia, Treasurer Mayank Arora, Coca-Cola Beverages. Board Members: Manoj Gupta, Lanka IOC, Ashish Chandra, Bharti Airtel, Harikrishnan Sundaram, Colombo West International Terminal, and Sanjay Baid, Diamond Cutters.’
– ft.lk/business/T-S-Prakash-takes-over-as-Indian-CEO-Forum-president/34-731415
– dailymirror.lk/business-news/T-S-Prakash-takes-over-as-Indian-CEO-Forum-President/273-232311
• National Chamber to host Oman-Sri Lanka Business Forum and B2B meetings
– dailymirror.lk/business-news/National-Chamber-to-host-Oman-Sri-Lanka-Business-Forum-and-B2B-meetings/273-232310
• International Marketing Graduates CEOs’ Breakfast Forum: Setting Sights on EU Markets
– island.lk/aimgsl-hosts-first-ceos-breakfast-forum-setting-sights-on-eu-markets/
• Thesavalamai should not be an impediment for the Sinhala to buy land in the North
– lankaweb.com/news/items/2022/02/27/thesavalamai-should-not-be-an-impediment-for-the-sinhalese-to-buy-land-in-the-north/
• Condominium Developers Association elects new team
‘Condominium Developers Association of Sri Lanka (CDASL) has over 35 members of good repute. ‘
– ft.lk/front-page/Condominium-Developers-Association-elects-new-team/44-731327
• CBH Lands Market Intelligence: Understanding demographics and real estate needs
– economynext.com/brand_voice/cbh-lands-market-intelligence-understanding-investors-a-cross-demo-graphics-and-their-real-estate-needs/
• Phoenix Ventures subsidiary to set up US$ 25 mn office complex in Col.03
– dailymirror.lk/business-news/Phoenix-Ventures-subsidiary-to-set-up-US-25-mn-office-complex-in-Col-03/273-232403
• Key insights to individual taxation
– ft.lk/financial-services/Key-insights-to-individual-taxation/42-731205
• EY Global Delivery Services signs with BOI for new US $ 3.4mn centre
– dailymirror.lk/business-news/EY-Global-Delivery-Services-signs-with-BOI-for-new-US-3-4mn-centre/273-232312
– ft.lk/front-page/EY-to-set-up-1-000-seat-Global-Delivery-Services-centre-in-SL/44-731423
• Kapruka Holdings Rs. 1.03 billion in revenue in first nine months of FY22
– ft.lk/business/Kapruka-Holdings-posts-impressive-results-in-first-nine-months-of-FY22/34-731464
• Tamil Nadu International Mudaliar and Pillaimar Association (IMPA) holds hands with SL
• Airline offices’ dollar payments to principals pile up
‘Payments for cargo are remitted in dollars. And when tickets are sold, apart from the local commissions, the rest are settled with the airline principals in dollars.’
– sundaytimes.lk/220227/news/airline-offices-dollar-payments-to-principals-pile-up-474498.html
• China’s Covid stance has created $280 bn black hole for global tourism
– dailymirror.lk/business-news/Chinas-Covid-stance-has-created-280-bn-black-hole-for-global-tourism/273-232402
• UAE, India sign Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement deal; aim for $100b trade
– ft.lk/front-page/UAE-India-sign-CEPA-deal-aim-for-100-b-trade/44-731265
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C10. Politics (Anti-parliament discourse, unelected constitution)
ee Politics points to the constant diversions and spectacles and the mercantile and financial forces funding the political actors, of policy hijacked by private interests minus public oversight.
• Udaya, Wimal & basil – Nalin de Silva
– kalaya.org/2022/03/blog-post_4.html
• Eleven govt allied parties launch new national statement
– adaderana.lk/news/80939/eleven-govt-allied-parties-launch-new-national-statement
– newsfirst.lk/2022/03/04/govt-parties-to-meet-on-future-programs/
• Udaya Gammanpila and Viyathmaga have failed – Dilan
– dailymirror.lk/latest_news/Udaya-Gammanpila-and-Viyathmaga-have-failed-Dilan/342-232198
• SLPP rebels vow to sustain campaign, slam ‘Ugly American’ for crisis
– island.lk/slpp-rebels-vow-to-sustain-campaign-slam-ugly-american-for-crisis/
– dailymirror.lk/latest_news/Sacked-ministers-call-Basil-Ugly-American/342-232346
• Wimal: We were sacked at the behest of Basil
– island.lk/wimal-we-were-sacked-at-the-behest-of-br/
– island.lk/wimal-and-udaya-out/
– dailymirror.lk/top_story/Udaya-Wimal-removed/155-232280
– dailymirror.lk/breaking_news/Wimal-thanks-President-for-sacking-him/108-232285
– ft.lk/front-page/President-dumps-dissenting-duo/44-731422
– economynext.com/sri-lanka-leader-sacks-two-cabinet-ministers-as-economic-crisis-bites-91137/
– economynext.com/sri-lanka-president-sacks-energy-minister-91133/
– adaderana.lk/news/80966/wimal-and-gammanpila-removed-from-minister-posts
– themorning.lk/i-was-sacked-because-the-govt-couldnt-digest-the-truth-gammanpila/
– themorning.lk/gammanpila-and-weerawansa-sacked-in-cabinet-reshuffle/
– themorning.lk/vasudeva-to-resign/
– themorning.lk/two-slpp-mps-supporting-separate-manifesto-unaware-of-disciplinary-action/
– newsfirst.lk/2022/03/04/will-not-accept-any-position-from-this-president-again-wimal/
– island.lk/the-night-of-the-long-knives/
– dailymirror.lk/latest_news/Our-aim-not-to-escape-from-crises-nor-to-blame-those-who-caused-Pavithra/342-232361
– dailymirror.lk/latest_news/What-led-to-Udaya-and-Wimal-being-sacked/342-232351
– dailymirror.lk/latest_news/More-Ministers-shuffled-and-sworn-in/342-232353
– ft.lk/front-page/President-acting-under-influence-of-Basil-R-sacked-ministers-allege/44-731535
– ft.lk/front-page/Vasu-neither-here-nor-there/44-731525
– ft.lk/front-page/President-dumps-dissenting-duo/44-731422
– economynext.com/sri-lanka-economic-crisis-sparks-ruling-party-squabble-91209/
– adaderana.lk/news/80979/cabinet-reshuffle-two-ministers-and-two-state-ministers-sworn-in
– newsfirst.lk/2022/03/05/removal-of-wimal-udaya-was-a-policy-decision-dilum/
– newsfirst.lk/2022/03/05/senior-minister-covers-both-ears-when-inquired-about-resignation-of-other-mps/
• JVP demands solutions to fuel and power crisis
– timesonline.lk/news-online/In-Pictures-JVP-demands-solutions-to-fuel-and-power-crisis/2-1136941
• Sirisena ready to swear on the Cross
– island.lk/sirisenas-cross/
• SJB calls for elections; take to the streets
– dailymirror.lk/breaking_news/SJB-calls-for-elections-take-to-the-streets/108-232300
• Ranil’s writ petition against PCoI recommendations fixed for support
– dailymirror.lk/latest_news/Ranils-writ-petition-against-PCoI-recommendations-fixed-for-support/342-232192
• Bizzaro governance – Tisaranee Gunasekara
– ft.lk/columns/Bizzaro-governance/4-731317
• TNA MP: Govt. incapable of solving basic problems, and it cannot solve problems of minorities
– island.lk/tna-mp-govt-incapable-of-solving-basic-problems-and-it-cannot-solve-problems-of-minorities/
• Boost for Korea-SL parliamentary diplomacy
– island.lk/boost-for-korea-sl-parliamentary-diplomacy/
• Royal Indian Naval Mutiny: The Final Battle for Freedom
‘The Royal Indian Navy Mutiny of February 19, 1946 is a largely forgotten event today’
– newsclick.in/royal-indian-naval-mutiny-final-battle-freedom
• Stop the War! An Appeal for a Europe of Peace
– socialistproject.ca/2022/02/stop-the-war-appeal-for-europe-peace/
• No to War. For a Transnational Politics of Peace
– socialistproject.ca/2022/02/no-to-war-for-a-transnational-politics-of-peace/
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C11. Media (Mis/Coverage of economics, technology, science and art)
ee Media shows how corporate media monopoly determines what is news, art, culture, etc. The media is part of the public relations (corporate propaganda) industry. The failure to highlight our priorities, the need to read between the lines. To set new perspectives and priorities.
• Modernity’s Rotten Apples – Nalin de Silva
– kalaya.org/?p=5109
• Unilever wins big at 2021 Effie Awards
‘‘Most Effective Marketer of the Year’ Award for the 6th consecutive year and 10 wins for Pureit, Signal, Comfort, Lifebuoy, Glow & Lovely and Knorr’
– island.lk/unilever-wins-big-at-2021-effie-awards/
• The Sinhala Chronicles
– lankaweb.com/news/items/2022/02/26/the-sinhala-chronicles/
• ‘Facebook Protect’ authorization extended to Sri Lanka
– economynext.com/facebook-protect-authorization-extended-to-sri-lanka-90955/
• News outlets condemned over racist war coverage in Ukraine
– radiohc.cu/en/noticias/internacionales/287796-news-outlets-condemned-over-racist-war-coverage
• When War Happens To White People
‘White people really can’t see themselves as the monsters they are, and they certainly can’t see us as human beings.’
– indi.ca
• Cumaratunga Munidasa: Unparalleled creator of children’s literature
– island.lk/cumaratunga-munidasa-unpralleld-creator-of-childrens-literature/
• Chamuditha says he has no faith in police probe on attack on his home
– sundaytimes.lk/220227/news/chamuditha-says-he-has-no-faith-in-police-probe-on-attack-on-his-home-474476.html
• Bandula Padma Kumara: Prominent voice for free media stilled
– sundaytimes.lk/220227/news/bandula-padma-kumara-prominent-voice-for-free-media-stilled-474493.html
• Man arrested in England over high-profile Jaffna killing released within 48 hours
– island.lk/man-arrested-in-the-uk-over-high-profile-jaffna-killing-released-within-48-hours/
• Founder of Informatics, IIT & former Chairman BOC, SEC biography – ‘The Quiet Maverick’
– island.lk/founder-of-informatics-iit-former-chairman-boc-sec-launches-biography-the-quiet-maverick/
• H. R. Jothipala: Sinhala Cinema’s Most Popular Playback Singer
– dailymirror.lk/dbs-jeyaraj-column/H-R-Jothipala-Sinhala-Cinemas-Most-Popular-Playback-Singer/192-231917
• Piyavi Asa, Edmond Jayasinghe’s biographical novel
‘During a visit to Scandinavia with his girlfriend, Hewa finds the answer in the Nordic model; a mixed-market economic system that combines elements of both capitalism and socialism’
– sundaytimes.lk/220227/plus/a-prescription-for-good-governance-474004.html
• India: A suicide narrates mainstream media’s susceptibility
– lankaweb.com/news/items/2022/03/01/india-a-suicide-narrates-mainstream-medias-susceptibility/
• Breaking barriers in the foothills of the Himalayas
• Funded by GlobalGirl Media England’
– sundaytimes.lk/220227/plus/breaking-barriers-in-the-foothills-of-the-himalayas-474027.html
• Indian Minister Calls Out Western Media for Pervasive Racial Coverage of Russia-NATO Row
– lankaweb.com/news/items/2022/02/28/indian-minister-calls-out-western-media-for-pervasive-racial-coverage-of-russia-nato-row/
• Fanning hate on Chinese netizens, NYT can’t hide US’ warlike nature
– globaltimes.cn/page/202202/1253506.shtml
‘Chinese students killed in Kharkiv school’ fake news
– globaltimes.cn/page/202203/1253953.shtml
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email: econenews@gmail.com
blog: eesrilanka.wordpress.com
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