Mourning in a crisis!

Mourn not Merry?  

Ex Prime Minister (PM) Rathnasiri Wickramanayake passed away on 27^th December 2016.

The Home Affairs Ministry of Sri Lanka declared 31^st December as a national day of mourning as a mark of respect to the late PM. Few hours later they cancelled 31^st & declared 30^th. Later they scrapped the idea of mourning.

Any average home will experience chaos & conflict at a family funeral. May be Home Ministry was also chaotic just like an average home when the Ex PM died?

May be they didn’t want to kill the mood of those who mourn with a hot drink? As we know at some family funerals alcohol & tobacco is served to those who mourn at rear gardens, car parks or at a neighbour’s house etc.

Home ministry managed the funeral of Ven Maduluvave Sobitha. No one is sure why the remains of late monk was dressed with exposed arms in an unprecedented way of dressing remains of a Buddhist monk. May be the ministry was not sure how to dress the remains of Ex PM? 

May be they weren’t sure how many days should be declared as they declared seven days of mourning when Pandith Amaradeva died? May be they didn’t like the Ex PM’s voice?

Ex PM’s party (SLFP) leaders may be thinking that not mourning will resolve interparty conflicts despite the fact that he served twice as PM under SLFP Presidents Kumaratunga & Rajapaksa. Kumaratunga who severely criticize Rajapaksa nepotism picked Rathnasiri first as PM to fill the post after her mother resigned from the post. May be some didn’t want to do a ‘mathata thitha’ even for a day since it was the ex man’s line.

The average citizen should develop skills to; face family crisis with confidence, manage finances, manage relationships & protect property etc. during a crisis. If the citizens develop these skills, may be the Home Ministry will learn from the people.

© Dr. Samitha Hettige, December 2016.

Leading in a crisis

President Gerald Ford - Being at the right place at the right time

The 10^th death anniversary of President Gerald Ford of USA fell on 26^th December, 2016.

Gerald Rudolph Ford (July 14, 1913 – December 26, 2006) was the 38th President of the United States (1974 to 77). Prior to this he was the 40th Vice President of the United States from 1973 until President Richard Nixon's resignation in 1974.

He was the first person appointed to the vice presidency following the resignation of Vice President Spiro Agnew on October 10, 1973. He became president upon Richard Nixon's departure on August 9, 1974 and claimed the distinction as the first and to date only person to have served as both Vice President and President of the United States without being elected to either office.

U.S. involvement in Vietnam essentially ended during his presidency. Domestically, Ford presided over the worst economy in the four decades since the Great Depression, with growing inflation and a recession during his tenure (source: Wikipedia). Ford’s efforts to stabilize US image after the conflict in Vietnam is praised by many.

In post colonial Sri Lanka no individual has yet matched the Ford record but below are notable appointments.

Dudley Senanayake was the first to be appointed Prime Minister after a crisis when his father Prime Minister D.S. Senanayake died in 1952.

In 1959, Prime Minister Bandaranaike was killed at a moment when late W. Dahanayake was already appointed acting Prime Minister by Bandaranaike who was about to leave the country on an official visit.

Dahanayake hence, became the second to be appointed Prime Minister after a crisis.

In May 1993 President Premadasa was killed by the LTTE terrorists at a time he had completed four years & four months of his six year term. The Parliament unanimously selected Prime Minister Wijethunga to be the President for the rest of the term & Minister Ranil Wickramasinghe was appointed Prime Minister by President Wijethunga. Wickramasinghe thus became the third to be appointed Prime Minister after a crisis.

Any community is fortunate if it has seasoned leaders who can shoulder responsibility at a time of unexpected crisis since unexpected crisis can be misused by pro conflict fractions which prevail hidden in any society.

© Dr. Samitha Hettige, December 2016

World's largest manger!

Locating 7.8731° N, 80.7718° E without the star

Historically very few rulers contributed to notable economic development of our country. Then we were ruled by colonial powers focusing on their economic development but we also gained little. When the British left in 1948 there was no budget deficit. We managed ever since electing governments with different visions to develop the country.

Since 1948 we experienced three notable instances which dragged the economy backwards (1971 & 1987 JVP lead violence and the 30 year LTTE lead war). Latest book by Shivshankar Menon says that we lost USD 200 billion only due to the 30 year war. We finished the war ourselves & didn’t have the patience to steer development.

During the 30 year war some waited for Prince Diyasena to liberate us. Those who suffered during the war will pay gratitude to those who finished it & those who benefitted from it will continue to criticize them. Some say humans are like animals & while others say they are more advanced.

Will critiques argue that we are worse than animals with no patience & no long term planning skills?

Three wise men followed the star to visit Christ as they foresaw his service to mankind.

It is good if a far sighted person who can control conflict & develop our economy is among us.

If we are to wait for such a person to be born… its time consuming but we have no option.

If there are wise men who could foresee that, they might want to visit that person.

They don’t have to wait for the star as there are Jets & ships with navigation technology.

Their destination…

A 65,000 Sq km island with approx 22 million souls & not the world’s largest manger!

A manger, or trough, is a structure used to hold food to feed animals. The word manger originally referred to a feed-trough, but it may also be used to refer to a water-trough when this is not being used possibly because it is similar to an abreuvoir. Mangers are generally found at stables and farmhouses. A manger is generally made of either stone or wood or metal. Mangers are mostly used in livestock raising. They are also used to feed wild animals, e.g., in nature reserves. The word comes from the French manger (meaning "to eat"), from Latin manducare (meaning "to chew"). A manger is also a Christian symbol, associated with nativity scenes where Mary and Joseph, forced by necessity to stay in a stable instead of an inn, used a manger as a makeshift crib for the Baby Jesus (Wikipedia).

World's tallest xmas tree & creating a short family tree

Trees & Conflicts

Many conflicts in the world are connected with trees. Sri Lanka is no exception. First was the Bo tree with Sangamitta therani. Then there were the Cinnamon trees which attracted sailors with economic interests. With them came Coffee, Tea & Rubber trees. Sri Lanka encountered many military & social conflicts due to these trees.

     

Reconciliation is vital in a post conflict era. Constructing the world’s tallest Christmas tree at the Galle Face green will strengthen reconciliation according to those building it. If so it may help Sri Lankans to reach economic prosperity.

Sri Lankans use trees & some parts of them for economic gain. The tallest Christmas tree is being constructed with Galvanized Iron pipes (GI) & Chicken mesh. Once Christmas is over we may see pipes & mesh from the tree being sold at hardware stores to those who need.  

    

This is the time some get festival cash advances. Citizens should be cautious when managing money to purchase any item including hardware. The tall Christmas tree may remind you of Jack & the beanstalk. If we select wisely & save money we may end in prosperity like Jack.

If we don’t, we may end like the man who tried to reach prosperity by hanging onto the tail of an elephant. Some may say that at present those who reach great heights by hanging onto the tail of the elephant will not fall. One can never say. Hence, such people also should play safe.  

One may think that only those who allocated resources to the family tree will only crash. It is wise for the average citizen to keep these in mind & manage resources to avoid conflicts. If we don’t, it will have an impact on our lives & families. We might end with ‘Bonsai’ family trees.   

© Dr. Samitha Hettige, December 2016

Mathematics to prevent conflicts

American, Indian and Sri Lankan Mathematical skills. 

Go down deep enough into anything & you will find Mathematics – Dean Schlicter

Is Mathematics an interesting subject?

Do you use Mathematics before making decisions?

Do you know how many zeros are in a million, billion & a trillion?

FORBES’ magazine states that US President elect Trump’s assets are US $3.7 billion.

·         http://www.forbes.com/sites/jenniferwang/2016/09/28/the-definitive-look

Shivshankar Menon (former Indian Foreign Secretary) in his latest book estimates that the war which ended in 2009 cost US $ 200 billion to Sri Lanka - Ceylon Today, December 14, 2016

·         http://www.ceylontoday.lk/print20161101CT20161231.php?id=11132

At a press briefing held at Siri Kotha, Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera stated;

“Rajapaksa family siphoned off from this country at large may amount to US $ 18 billion

May 7, 2015 by: COLOMBO TELEGRAPH

• http://www.adaderana.lk/news/30764/rajapaksas-have-siphoned-off-over-usd-18-billion-says-mangala

Central Bank Report Published by the Sirisena - Wickramasinghe Government in 2015 states;

• Highest foreign investment Sri Lanka received in 2014 is US$ 1.5 billion.
• Total investments Sri Lanka received during 2005 – 2009 is less than US $ 16 billion.

Do communities believe in God?

• Have you seen (economically, politically & socially) stable communities?
• How did they reach that level? Did they believe in God? If so how many Gods?
• Are there communities which talk about 330,000,000 Gods?
• Will 330,000,000 Gods help communities to be stable & live without conflict?
• Is it safe to calculate before making decisions if you have not done before?  

Can you watch the below link with patience?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QnCzIMhtax4

Do we have the skills to decide based on Mathematics?

Will it be profitable for us if we do?

© Dr. Samitha Hettige, December 2016

Will increased fines help manage humans thus preventing conflicts?

The Sri Lankan government proposed to increase traffic fines. It is being debated, some are conducting opinion polls & a petition is signed in social media to promote same. If the proposals are implemented it will; increase government revenue & road safety. Countries such as Singapore & Saudi Arabia impose physical punishments in addition to cash fines (such as lashes & beheading) on those who break the rules.  A disciplined society will develop efficiency & productivity. Physical punishment to manage humans is not new to Sri Lankans. Below is a list of the 32 methods of punishment popularly known as ‘dethis wadha’. (Source: 1951 ‘Sankya Shabda Kosha’ by Ven Baddegama Vimalavansa).

First is Lashes & last is beheading with a sword (ref below list pg 279 - 280).

·         Will a combination of fines & punishments increase discipline among Sri Lankans?

·         What is our goal? Safe environment & or to increase revenue?

·         What can we learn from countries such as Singapore & Saudi Arabia?

·         What do they do to control humans? Is it violation of human rights?

·         Have we implemented similar practices centuries back? Were we brutal?

·         If so why is it in practice in the modern world?

©Dr. Samitha Hettige, December 2016

Leaders with vision to manage conflicts

Performance Evaluation to Prevent Conflicts:  President Fidel Castro is no more. He was a leftist & anti US. President Jayewardene (JR) (UNP) was vice versa (hence known ‘Yankee Dicky” to some).  Despite politics JR evaluated Fidel’s performance diplomatically strengthening undisturbed Cuban assistance to Sri Lanka during the Jayewardene rule which experienced many negative approaches towards leftist parties in Sri Lanka.

Year	Event
1979	In September 1979, JR handed the Chair of the Non Aligned Movement to Cuba which Sri Lanka held since 1976. In his speech, JR said below to Fidel (source: Department of Information, Sri Lanka); “We have all discovered that among your people you are affectionately known as Companero, a Spanish word which means a mixture of companion & comrade. Throughout your leadership of Cuba, your attitude as seen in your writings, statements, & interviews has been that a nation’s progress can & must be achieved through ceaseless effort directed at bringing the greatest good to the greatest number. I am convinced that at the end of our deliberations in Havana, & beyond, we will realize & remember that we are all Companeros, despite those differences of approach & emphasis that are inevitable in a movement as large & diverse as ours. We are all comrades in struggles against forces that impede the progress of our peoples. Having heard & seen you, Your Excellency Fidel Castro, I can understand how the people of this country follow you & made you their leader. You & I have the same ideals. We may not agree on the methods of attaining them & the path to be followed. I am convinced that your own life is part of the contemporary history not only of Cuba, but of the world”.
2016	The year is coming to a close, most come across performance evaluations & appraisals. Every citizen contributes to hire employees to manage societies without conflicts, usher development & increase quality of life. By analyzing leaders such as Fidel & JR we can learn; how employees have performed, whether to promote or demote or replace.

© Dr. Samitha Hettige, December 2016

Role of a Leader in a Conflicting Society

Leadership Skills to Manage Conflicts & Extremism.

 Lee Hsien Loong is the current Prime Minister (PM) of Singapore & is in office since 2004.

·         He is the eldest son of the late Prime Minister, Lee Kuan Yew (Father of the Nation).

·         Lee graduated from Trinity College, Cambridge University in 1974 & earned a Master of Public Administration at Harvard's Kennedy School of Government.

·         From 1974 to 84, served Singapore Army rising to the rank of Brigadier-General.

·         Won his 1^st election & became a Member of Parliament in 1984, contesting as a member of the People's Action Party.

·         Under Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong, he was the Minister for Trade, Industry & Finance & Deputy Prime Minister.

·         As PM led his party to victory in the 2006, 2011 and 2015 general elections.

·         He is managing the financially strong city state with minimum conflicts  (Source: Wikipedia).

• What can Sri Lankans learn from Leaders like Prime Minister Lee and his late father?
• How did/do they manage conflicts & extremism in their Society?
• Singapore was born in the 1950s. Sri Lanka state is much older rich with centuries of socio political traditions & various cultural influences. It’s challenging to manage extremism in our society due to that but it is very important since development will not be possible in a conflicting society.
• What type of training (Military, Law or Economics etc) would be useful for a leader to control conflict?
• Sri Lankans lived in strictly disciplined Monarchies under ancient kings for centuries.
• British introduced Universal Adult Franchise to Sri Lanka in November 1931. With that we got used to the modern electoral tradition.
• Are Sri Lankans like ‘Elephants’ which cannot be controlled with the ‘Democracy stick’?
• Will a ‘Goad’ (Ankus or Henduwa) serve the purpose?
• Will they give up extremism if a strict discipline control system is in place?

© Dr. Samitha Hettige, November 2016.

Its worth to prevent a conflict with China

Conflict Prevention; a worthy effort when it is China.  

Year	Event
1948	Sri Lanka became an Independent Nation with some legal and military dependence on UK.
1949	Chairman Mao declared the founding of the People's Republic of China.
1950	Sri Lanka recognized Peoples Republic of China by government of D.S. Senanayaka (UNP).
1952	SL – China Rubber Rice Pact signed during the government of Dudley Senanayaka (UNP).
1970s	China donated Bandaranaike Conference Hall (BMICH) to the government of Sirima Bandaranaike (SLFP).
1980s	China donated Supreme Courts Complex to government of J.R. Jayawardane (UNP).
1990s	China donated the Nelum Pokuna Theater to government of Chandrika Kumaratunga (SLFP)
2000s	China supported to build the Hambantota Port & Mattala International Air Port. Chinese President visited Sri Lanka and initiated Sri Lanka’s largest ever development project the Colombo Port City during government of Mahinda Rajapaksa (SLFP).
2014	Port City cancellation (if Sirisena (SLFP) becomes president) was announced by Ranil Wickramasinghe (UNP).
2015	After assuming office President Sirisena visited China after visiting India and the west and the government suspended Port City.
2016	Prime minister Wickramasinghe visited China and announced the restart of Port City at a conference in Europe.
2016	Chinese envoy indicated not to mix economy with politics and Minister Ravi Karunanayaka responded in the same tone. This was the first time a Chinese envoy has publicly commented.
	For centuries China has been a close friend. Since 1949 China has been a sincere friend despite who rules Sri Lanka. China unconditionally protected Sri Lanka at all International forums. How can we go for a win win outcome?

© Dr. Samitha Hettige, November 2016

Managing Media to Prevent a Conflict, few points to focus: Media disseminate information to the public influencing public behavior. That may anger governors & cause conflicts. Hence, it is important to learn from the past & manage media resources to prevent conflicts. 

Year	Event
1920s	Radio Ceylon & Lake House were established during the British Rule.
1930s	Till independence from the British media did not play a key role in politics
1960s	Black & White TV was offered to Ceylon by the Germans & was refused but the grant strengthened the Radio Ceylon transmission capacity during Dudley Senanayake rule (UNP).
1970s	Lake House of the Wijewardena family was nationalized & Davasa & Riviresa papers were sealed by Sirima Bandaranaike rule (SLFP) due to political reasons. Colour TV was introduced by Shan Wickramasinghe to Sri Lanka. It was taken over by state due to operational reasons by J.R. Jayewardene (UNP) & named ITN Sri Lanka.
1980s	Japan donated National TV (Rupavahini). Private print media started (notably by Ranjit & Upali Wijewardena both related to Jayewardene) & tabloids such as ‘Raavaya’ introduced by Victor Ivan (Raavaya was printed at A.T. Ariyaratne’s Sarvodaya press at the outset. Political influence has said to have encouraged Sarvodaya to give up the support given to Raavaya). Jayewardene rule (UNP).
1990s	Shan Wickramasinghe started his 2nd TV channel followed by Maharaja TV. President Premadasa was criticized by the media arms of the Wijewardena family. Hence, he attacked Upali & Ranjit & shifted towards Maharaja TV. Few TV & Radio channels & print media were started with patronage from Kumaratunga rule. Many tabloids were started to attack Premadasa & same attacked Gamini Dissanayake during 1994 Presidential polls. Telecom Regulatory Commission was established.
2000s	Many TV, Radio & Print media stations were started by the Private & Public Sectors.
	Information Technology allowed individuals to voice their views through www. Smart phones were introduced.
	Mahinda Rajapaksa was criticized nationally & internationally for his acts in managing media before & after ending the 30 year war.
	Sirisena who defeated Rajapaksa in his manifesto promised ‘a meaningful substantial media freedom’ (pg 60) to rectify Rajapaksa acts; Maintenance of a free media will be ensured by stopping; direct & indirect threats & intimidation against print & electronic media, their owners & media personnel as well as abductions by white vans & killings.
	October 26th 2016: President Sirisena says a vibrant media culture & media freedom thrive in SL under this government & protecting media freedom is among its main policies (Addressing the 61st anniversary of the SL Press Association- Colombo Page).
	November 22nd 2016 at a function held at Waters Edge Colombo, President Sirisena stressed that the front pages of all Sri Lankan newspapers are the pages which destroy the country – Kushan Subasinghe (Upali News papers reported).  It was an unprecedented statement by a head of state in Sri Lanka which targeted all newspapers.
	What can we learn? How can we manage media to stay away from a Conflict?

© Dr. Samitha Hettige, November 2016

China remembers and helps...

China tells President, PM to ensure continuity in economic pacts

November 17, 2016, 9:56 pm  - www.island.lk

by Zacki Jabbar

The Chinese Ambassador Yi Xianliang has asked President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe to ensure that incidents such as the suspension of the Colombo Port City Project, do not happen again.

Addressing the China - Sri Lanka Business Meeting for Investment and Trade held at " The Ocean" in Kingsbury Hotel on Wednesday, which has a clear view of the Colombo Port City, now renamed as the Colombo Financial City,the Ambassador said "During my recent meetings with both President Sirisena and Prime Minister Wickremesinghe, I made it clear that incidents such as the suspension of the Colombo Port City, which has caused losses to both our countries, should not happen again. Projects should be implemented in terms of the legal contracts entered into.I hope changes in government would not lead to changes in policies relating to economic agreements."

Xianliang revealed that he had also told Wickremesinghe not to emphasise too much on Sri Lanka’s geographical location, since it would make officials do nothing and wait for foreign investments to fall into their laps.

Despite having recently criticised Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake, who, he said, " was asking for more aid , while complaining that Chinese loans at a two percent interest rate was too high", the Ambassador noted that there were no major problems in Sino-Lanka relations, which dated back to 1630 years ago.

The Chinese envoy said that 65 years of diplomatic ties and the 65th anniversary of the Rubber-Rice Pact would be celebrated next year, which was a testimony to friendly ties between the two countries.

Chairman of the visiting Council for Promoting South-South Cooperation of China, Lyu Xinhua said that the Sirisena-Wickremesinghe government had informed his delegation that it welcomed Chinese investments.

" We have a hard working and well informed Ambassador in Yi Xianlinang, who is open to discussions with your business community," he observed adding that his country would work to strenghthen friendly relations between China and Sri Lanka.