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.

Sri Lanka acts to prevent conflict which it should not get involved! If it does it will be lost battle for Sri Lanka

The Government has told China it is prepared to discuss any concerns it has after controversy arose over a statement made by China’s Ambassador to Sri Lanka last week.

The Foreign Ministry said that Foreign Secretary Esala Weerakoon had spoken to the Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Yi Xianliang and noted Sri Lanka’s willingness to discuss his concerns.

A Foreign Ministry spokesperson said that the Foreign Secretary had told the Chinese envoy it would be best for any concerns China has to be raised directly with the Foreign Ministry and not the media.

The Foreign Ministry also denied reports that the Ambassador will be summoned by Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera to raise objections to the recent comments made to the media by the Chinese envoy.

Responding to the questions raised by the media last week, Xianliang had insisted that the Chinese Government has no hidden agenda in Sri Lanka.

He also insisted that the Chinese companies involved in several projects in Sri Lanka had not offered bribes for any projects.

Xianliang warned that Sri Lanka faces the risk of losing foreign direct investments if it fails to maintain a consistent policy.

The Ambassador also denied claims that China was giving loans to Sri Lanka at a higher interest rate.
He said he had even discussed those claims with Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake, adding that if Sri Lanka was not happy then it did not need to turn to China for money.

“We give loans to developing countries like Sri Lanka at 2 percent interest and not 5 like most other countries,” he said.

The Ambassador also said that several social groups in Sri Lanka have sought financial support from the Chinese Embassy and when money is given it is seen as a bribe by others.

Xianliang asserted China has done nothing wrong in Sri Lanka and he urged Sri Lanka to respect the friendship shown by China towards the island. (Colombo Gazette)

China defends its Envoy in Colombo.

China defends Lanka envoy's comments over Chinese loans Press Trust of India | Beijing China today defended comments by its ambassador to Sri Lanka over criticism against high interest rates charged on Chinese loans to the country, saying he had only "clarified some misunderstandings and misleading remarks" on bilateral cooperation. "The Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka exchanged views with friends from the media on China-Sri Lanka relations and the status quo of bilateral cooperation and clarified some misunderstandings and misleading remarks regarding China-Sri Lanka cooperation at a seminar," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said. "The candid exchange of views on relevant cooperation between China and Sri Lanka is conducive to the sound development of bilateral mutually beneficial cooperation as they are good friends that trust and help each other," Kang said in a written response to PTI on a question over reports about the controversy stirred up by Chinese envoy to Sri Lanka Yi Xianliang's remarks. Reports from Colombo said that Sri Lanka may summon Yi to convey Colombo's displeasure over his remarks. Yi reportedly refuted criticism that China has granted hefty loans to Sri Lanka during the previous Mahinda Rajapaksa government with higher interest rates and asked why Sri Lanka always turns to China if the interest is high as claimed by some Sri Lankan ministers. Yi was quoted as saying that China has regular, or fixed interest ratio of two per cent for any developing country and not only for Sri Lanka. "If you don't like this one, why you come again, to talk with me about another one," he asked reportedly referring to criticism from Sri Lanka's Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake who said Chinese loans carried higher interest rates. Responding to Yi's comments Karunanayake said "If he says they have not given loans with interest more than two percent we are happy - because then we have only have to pay two per cent then". The reports said besides defending Chinese loans, Yi also criticised the slow progress of some Chinese-funded projects. "The Chinese do not get involved in local politics and will work with the government in power. The Chinese firms have not bribed Sri Lankans to do business in the country," he said last week adding that "China has no hidden agenda in Sri Lanka and conducts its affairs with the government in an open and transparent manner". Sri Lanka's news paper Daily News quoted Yi as saying that China has completed infrastructure projects worth USD 15.5 billion in Sri Lanka by the end of 2015. Commenting on the suspension of work in the port city project in Colombo after the government of President Maithripala Sirisena came to power to investigate the irregularities, Yi said this had caused a loss of USD 140 million to the Chinese company involved. The work on the USD 1.4 billion project was subsequently resumed after the new government renegotiated the terms. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)