Book titled "The Moon is Not in the Water" to commemorate the centenary of the Communist Party of China (1921 - 2021)

 

Lessons from the World in Managing Chaos and Conflict

Radio Talks series on Lessons in Conflict Prevention and

Managing Chaos for the average Sri Lankan Sinhala speakers on China Radio International.

CRI Sri Lanka produces and broadcast this program titled on every Friday on 97.9FM in Sri Lanka and world over on www at 21.30 hrs (16.00GMT).

About 10 case studies covering; Social, Political, Economic and Science is analyzed and discussed with a view to learning from the developments, success stories and mistakes of other countries.

Prof. Samitha W.M. Hettige is the main resource person in this series and it is directed by senior Radio Journalist Asoka Piyarathna.  

One Belt One Road (The Silk Road) : A Tool for Conflict Prevention and Resolution in Sri Lanka

ISSN 2719 - 2288

One Belt One Road (The Silk Road) : A tool for Conflict Prevention in Sri Lanka.

Radio Talk Series (97.9FM Sri Lanka) (www.crisrilanka)

The awareness program on China Radio International by Prof. Samitha Hettige was initiated in 2017. 

Series one titled “The Silk Road Story” consisted of 10 episodes about the Ancient Silk Road and its linkages with the partner countries during the voyages of great Chinese Admiral Chen Ho and the conflict prevention and resolution experiences of Sri Lanka during that time period.

The episode on China – Kazakhstan relations from the time of ancient Silk Road till 2017 was one of the three nominees for the most investigative radio programs at the Presidential Media Awards 2018.

Series two titled “Winning Tomorrow Sailing the Silk Road” consisted of 40 episodes. Various aspects related to the 21^st century maritime Silk Road were discussed to raise awareness among Sri Lankans on how to use the Silk Road for Conflict Resolution and Prevention. 

Eminent persons including below from various fields ranging from Nanotechnology to Horse Racing was interviewed; Dr. Fred Medis, Dr. Senaka Dharmathilaka, Dr. Muditha Senerath Yapa, Admiral (Rtd) Tisara Samarasinghe, Ex Auditor General Sarath Mayadunne, Kithsiri Wanigasekera, Kalinga Indatissa P.C., Janaraj Peiris, Sunranjith Premadasa, Dr. Thushari Wickramanayake, Dr. Bandu Wijerathna and Ms Menaka Galgamuwa. Latest developments in China and other countries with regard to the belt and road initiative were also analyzed and discussed as lessons learned in Conflict Prevention and Resolution.

Series three titled “One Belt One Road” (OBOR) started on 7^th November 2018. The first discussion was with former Defence Secretary of Sri Lanka Dr. Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Ph.D. His vision on how Sri Lanka can reap benefits from the OBOR was discussed in-depth and the series continues.

The programs were produced by Tharindu Perera for China Radio International. It is directed by veteran media personality Seelarathna Senerath assisted by Ashoka Piyarathna.    © Prof. Samitha Hettige

Orang Utang Conflicts in Sri Lanka

Orang Utang in the jungle.

 

They say it is a concrete jungle. Internet users should be happy about the tax reduction on internet/data usage. Those planning to buy small motor cycles will also be happy on tax cuts. Lottery managing institutes have been re assigned to the ministry of finance. Such institutes generate money. It is strength to have them under one’s control for sustainable survival. Former finance minister is a wise man. He made strategic moves recently which are praised by many. Thus he avoided many conflicts.

Present finance minister too is a focused wise man. He takes steps to keep the electorate happy to maintain government’s popularity. It is his duty being a governing politician. His deputy told media that tax cuts were not targeted on upcoming elections. If so it is a generous deed. With the lottery institutes under their purview they will have more strength. The new foreign minister should not be sad about the lottery institutes going back to finance colleagues as his appointment is actually like winning a lottery.

Can we plan the way we use internet to save money for our own good?

If there is an increase in internet usage due to this, more money will go out from our pockets. Should we revise our finance planning skills then?

How much money do you spend on buying lotteries per month? Have you won any? If not should you continue buying lotteries? What happens to the money we pay for the lottery ticket?

If we don’t manage our resources, the jungle will be bankrupt.

If so an Orang Derras will emerge to put the jungle in order.

Then it will not be monkey business.   

Reference - Sri Lanka Malay Dictionary (Saldin & Lim) 2007: Orang Utang is man in debt. Orang Derras is a disciplinarian. Orang Utan is the man in the forest.

© Dr. Samitha Hettige, August, 2017

How to manage the lands to prevent conflicts

Will the Surveyor General go home or contribute to Conflict Prevention in Sri Lanka?

  

The Department of Survey of Sri Lanka (DSS) was established by the British on 2^nd August 1800. It is the only government department to own an air craft other than the Air Force. Conflicts due to land disputes are largely prevented through the services of DSS. Why did the British establish DSS in Sri Lanka?

Simply to recover the military investment made to conquer Sri Lanka. Granting lands to the British for commercial crops such as Tea, Coconut & Coffee etc. was the strategy.

This created settlement conflicts among Sinhalese & South Indian Tamil workers added to the social conflict. British suppressed these conflicts with Military rule & managed us as a profitable business. They weren’t looking at human rights & focused on profit.  

The Daily Mirror in January 2017 (http://www.dailymirror.lk/article/US-firm-to-take-over-Survey-Dept-work-Union-122388.html) & Sunday Times (http://www.sundaytimes.lk/170806/business-times/us-firms-land-title-registry-plan-rings-alarm-bells-of-privatisation-253243.html) reported about a plan to hand over the operations of the DSS to USA based Trimble Company (www.trimble.com) for a period of 15 years.

Is the DSS incapable of implementing modernization using Sri Lankans?

OR is this part of the big picture with Rajapaksa Port & Trincomalee Tanks etc?

Is someone interested in making Sri Lanka a profitable business venture again? How much or what will it cost Sri Lankans? Will it create other social conflicts?

There is lot of talk about Sri Lanka’s geographic location in the emerging world economic trends.

If Sri Lanka looks profitable, many would want to invest & earn returns. Land data would be important for those. If the returns are high some may even want to create a separate state within SL or support that cause. If we oppose, will there be a conflict then?

Will we need a Military Rule to control such conflicts & protect Sri Lankan interests in a challenging world like in the British days & usher economic development?

© Dr. Samitha Hettige, August 2017

Conflict prevention is not monkey business

No conflicts… just some sleeping monkeys?
Picture: Malaysian National Art Gallery.

According to Buddhist teachings when the Buddha was resting at the “Parileiya” forest, a monkey
looked after him providing food & protection. May be some monkeys in the picture have similar
bonds towards the Buddha.

Some seem to be listening to the clowns & some are sleeping. Tibetan
monk Ven. Mahinda if alive may write new lines about the sleeping monkeys.
The clown with blue hair seems to be chairing the discussion sitting firm on the blue chair.

There are other clowns taking cover behind the blue screen. The clown in green pants seems to be watching every move carefully.

There are beautifully wrapped gifts behind that clown.
Will he offer the gifts to the ordinary monkeys from this jungle? If not who will get them?
Were the monkeys fooled by the clowns just by offering but not delivering their bananas?
If the bananas are not offered will there be a conflict between monkeys & clowns?
Trees in the picture seem to be dead. Will the monkeys work towards obtaining the bananas? There
can be plastic bananas. So the monkeys will have to be careful.
© Dr. Samitha Hettige, July 2017

Reconciliation in Sri Lanka - respecting the armed forces.

Major General (Rtd) Kamal Gunaratna’s ears and fingers and heads of 999 others.

At a recent event Maj Gen (Rtd.) Kamal Gunaratna of SL Army (who fought in the last battle to end the 30 year war) was heard saying that his ears are 55 years old. Since he sold many copies of his book on the final battle within a month after releasing, he must be hearing much with the old ears.

Some say SL Foreign Minister (FM) was seen on TV commenting on the book while holding a copy after returning from Geneva Human Rights (HR) sessions. They must have wanted to hear more about what happened in Geneva than Gunaratna’s book. Others must have felt that Prince Hussein too (head of UN HR body) must have read Gunaratna’s book. After watching the media briefing one might think that Hussein even suggested other names other than ‘Road to Nandikadal’. 

FM accurately mentioned that as per the present constitution it is not possible to introduce hybrid courts with foreign judges. President Sirisena & PM Ranil are said to be against hybrid courts too. President Jayewardene should be praised for not changing the initiative (in the 1978 constitution) of Dr. Colvin R. De Silva (architect of 1972 constitution) who got our judiciary released from the Privy Council (in other words foreign judges).

Some say that the committee (appointed by PM Ranil in 2015) headed by Dr. Colvin’s daughter to study UN charges & make recommendations has endorsed hybrid courts & establishing the office of the missing persons among other things. Government of President Sirisena co-sponsored the Human Rights resolution against Sri Lanka in 2015 & the government should be praised for the good work towards reconciliation in Sri Lanka.

Hussein is an employee of the UN & seems to be having a focused professional approach. If he had actually read Gunaratna’s book, he may use it against the Sri Lankan armed forces who eradicated terrorism in SL as per the view of some. His predecessor Navi Pillai had concerns about the Buddhist flag at the Independence Square. He might remember it & recommend SL government to ban Buddhism as the Buddha was a leader who protected Angulimala responsible for disappearing 999 innocent souls. He might recommend summoning Angulimala to the office of the missing persons to ask about the 999 souls. May be he might not push it as Prabakaran too killed an Indian VIP after killing more than 999.

In case if Hussein comes up with Angulimala, to reduce the impact one can always say that our policing top brass are far more professional (and not the law bending type as charged by the joint opposition) than those during the time of ‘Operation Angulimala’ as the guys couldn’t catch the fellow until the Buddha got involved. One might even say that those in charge of the policing ones during the Angulimala days are fit to be in the ‘Salvation Army’ since their inability got the Buddha involved thus salvaging Angulimala.   

Are we really focused on genuine reconciliation in Sri Lanka?

Can the goal be achieved with a blame game? Were the minorities cheated? If so why? By whom?

© Dr. Samitha Hettige, March 2017