tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-71671495475354841772024-03-14T14:57:20.360+05:30SerendipityOpinions on subjects of the day mainly as it pertains to common sense suggestions in improving the quality of life of all who are fortunate to live in this serendipitous island of Sri Lanka.Ratmale,Minneriya,Sri Lankahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17252632858481217930noreply@blogger.comBlogger1081125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7167149547535484177.post-40041772494645446922021-06-03T20:14:00.011+05:302021-06-03T20:14:56.985+05:30SL Government wants to have monopolistic control of all profitable commercial ventures, so the latest foray is into Oxygen!<p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; text-align: justify;">There was an article today in the FT
about Litro Gas, which is an indirectly government owned corporation that is a
subsidiary of Sri Lanka Insurance, buying 25 acres of land in Kerawalapitiya to
build an Oxygen plant to meet the nation’s needs, as a result of the Covid
pandemic and potential use of Oxygen to save lives. Of course this sound
fantastic to the ordinary ignorant, slave of a reader, who does not realize
that when an Oxygen plants comes on stream, the pandemic would have gone away,
and the need for Oxygen won’t be necessary, as local producers already can
supply domestic needs for the foreseeable future.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Whenever a state owned undertaking gets
involved in a commercial venture one’s antennae needs to be pricked, as there
is something fishy, which will benefit a gravy train of political stooges and
crony capitalists who put these ideas into their otherwise empty heads, as the
latter have already determined how they can make super profits. The headline
itself is fake news, as the existing producers have the need covered with their
oxygen production capabilities already, so what gives? Where is the catch?</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://www.ft.lk/front-page/Litro-ventures-into-manufacture-of-oxygen-to-meet-rising-demand-amidst-pandemic/44-718770"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">https://www.ft.lk/front-page/Litro-ventures-into-manufacture-of-oxygen-to-meet-rising-demand-amidst-pandemic/44-718770</span></a></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">There was earlier talk about Litro and
Laugfs going into partnership for the sale of LPG as they are the ONLY two LPG
suppliers in the land, and they could pool their resources to buy in bulk and
have both their needs transported in one vessel and thereby save on costs. That
maybe, but the saving MUST be passed onto the consumer, as they are a monopoly.
If they amalgamate, it is the State’s job to regulate monopoly pricing as part
of their governance mandate. Clearly, there is NO governance in Sri Lanka. Then
again it was a ruse to fool the public and screw them by way of making super
profits for those who have the contract to supply as monopoly purchasers. In such
a situation, when there is NO transparency, the fraud and personal embezzlement
can be done overseas, as commissions are paid directly to overseas bank
accounts, in awarding contracts at unfavorable prices. This is something that
has been done consistently with Chinese Corporations, who don’t have any qualms
in paying bribes to get what they want, in comparison with US companies who are
expressly forbidden to do so. Therein lies the love affair with China as the
Cronies and their political underlings have no scruples and China is the
obvious choice for any hanky panky that has gone on. This is <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>treason against the people of Sri Lanka by the
establishment. Bear in mind competitive pricing MUST be enforced in a Country
where monopolistic practices, may make sense due to small requirements, but
price benefits transferred to consumers and not agents of the regime, and the
regime to benefit. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">An absolutely asinine opposition cannot
see this daylight robbery taking place right under their noses.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">As if adding spice to this pie was not
enough, there is also talk too that Litro will get into bed with or buy out
Ceylon Oxygen, a major gas supplier in the Country, where the foreign owner may
wish to pull out, not because it is not a profitable business, but because
local management have made it look unprofitable due to either theft, or cost
sharing which amounts to the same thing aka as bribes to obtain business! This
means that the overseas owner becomes disgusted with doing business with
thieves and robber barons and would rather cut their losses, and run!</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">We shall see how all this transpires,
but there is simply no doubt that something is afoot to hoodwink the public and
trick the opposition to enhance the greedy pockets of a few friends of the
regime, who are bent on tightening the noose around the already brain dead
public who are not privy to the daylight robbery currently taking place right
under their noses. The lack of an opposition with any brain cells is the
perfect storm to set up every business as a qausi monopoly to divvy up a whole
country among the leadership and their funders.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The irony of all this is that if
everything is transparent and the economy is allowed to follow neo liberal
policies, the economy as a whole can grow by leaps and bounds, and all will
benefit including the cronies, but in this case the cronies are destroying the
economy for short term gain, and they too will end up with nothing to gain
locally having then invested their ill-gotten wealth in overseas countries,
unable to pursue the crimes, as there are no prosecutors left alive in the
Island!</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The intelligentsia who is aware of this,
are completely impotent, as they have no clue how to checkmate this decline
into decay, as they are busy just protecting their turf from further erosion.
This leaves it to the youth of the Country to organize an alternative
government to take over from this mob rule, who have a huge task to persuade
the older slaves who can easily be fooled like they have been for 70 years,
that the status quo is the better option.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Now that all the English speaking youth
of any merit have fled the fold to seek greener pastures overseas, it is just
left to the vernacular youth to take up the cudgel and persuade their parents
that there is no future for this Country unless they are given the chance of
running it, at least initially in a transparent manner and later, in a
technocrat laden professional manner, once the corrupt public service is
eviscerated. The public service as it is currently constituted, does not allow
a party in power under this old system to do what is right, even if they want
to, as they hold the administration to ransom with their superior thievery. They
would be the first to be eliminated in a youth based administration.<o:p></o:p></span></p>Ratmale,Minneriya,Sri Lankahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17252632858481217930noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7167149547535484177.post-16305224193204248462020-08-25T02:58:00.003+05:302020-08-25T02:58:18.895+05:30Reform begins at the grass roots level if it is to be meaningful, and provide an immediate return on investment – a product still mothballed, why?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYd8siP0wOeCvkEyX-Vfl6q1brrYrpiF0_w5gxTMbir3ly1logLSHx_VTf6X-b3uHhtF9eYMM9yQaxLWEHNvhTywbo23PFX025tJ7Xh6RX_MyB_dDbm-u3e-acFuqh1mdUNWksuMRzldA/s960/Nihal+Ranasinghe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="944" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYd8siP0wOeCvkEyX-Vfl6q1brrYrpiF0_w5gxTMbir3ly1logLSHx_VTf6X-b3uHhtF9eYMM9yQaxLWEHNvhTywbo23PFX025tJ7Xh6RX_MyB_dDbm-u3e-acFuqh1mdUNWksuMRzldA/s640/Nihal+Ranasinghe.jpg" /></a></div><p><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Mr Nihal Ranasinghe, (photo above ) a former Controller
of Immigration and Emigration, a very competent civil servant, who everyone in
the loop, agrees transformed his department into one of the most efficient <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and productive, Government Departments in Sri Lanka,
told me about a very simple product that he has developed in his spare time to
help the Country.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">It is a database product, which will
have the whole country’s population as well as their relevant details on file,
in order for all policy makers to utilize in making decisions at government
level. It is so simple that I am surprised no one in high authority has taken
in up. I suspect, personal rivalry is such that in SL we are reluctant to give
credit where it is due and try to get credit for something that others do, and
so as a country fail to take advantage of the truly altruistic and competent
people who are willing to give of their time and knowledge to benefit the people
of the Country. It is the responsibility of leaders to seek such GEMS out in
society, listen to their proposals and give them the time of day and resources
to implement them. These are proven people in their fields and not untested self-promoters
who litter the hallways of power today.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">After all each Grama Niladari Division
has a GN, Samurdhi Officer and in most locations also has a Govi Niyamaka, or Agriculture
Officer whose job it is to increase the production, yield and productivity of
agricultural output in his area of responsibility. There are nearly 14,000 GN divisions
in SL that cover all the people of the Country.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The GN has a list of the households, but
does not have a complete list of everyone in it, even though each year a manual
form is sent just to complete for the purposes of an Electrol Register. This is
a total waste of time and resources which should be computerized automatically,
instead of having to effectively do a manual and time consuming census each
year.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">To cut to the chase, Mr Ranasinghe’s
data base would dovetail nicely with each Divisional Secretariat that handles
the GN division, and I believe there are 333 of these divisions in the Country.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">This will make the whole business of
managing the official administration a piece of cake! It will save a lot of
angst and help the people of the Country. The argument that people’s privacy
will be infringed upon if their details are available to Government officials, I
will say they are already available, but in manual and often incorrect and
outdated form, now it will be formalized and current. This is not up to debate
it is one that must be implemented without delay.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">I was told that ICTA would not like this
as it treads on their toes, whereas I will say, let ICTA concentrate on
connecting the Government Departments to speak in unison and allow this program
to fit into their system seamlessly, completing an easy task that will assist ICTA
instead of compete with them to integrate this database.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The database will have details of age,
sex, children, schools attended, occupation and socio economic level that the GN
will update on a Lap Top or now with smart phone technology can leapfrog into a
smart phone app!</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">This will enable him to assist the Divisional
Secretariat in performing their duties, in identifying, families and
individuals in need of help, and so the resources of the bloated public service
in the Divisional Secretariat can be made efficient.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">If I were to use an example, the person
in charge in the DS office responsible for Children’s affairs will have a list
of all the disadvantaged children of low income families so he or she (usually a
she)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>can assist them with matters like
shoes for the children to go to school with if there is a state program of assistance.
With malnutrition among children being a major issue that is swept under the
carpet in Sri Lanka they can also keep tabs on these children and make sure the
necessary nutritional supplements that various programs offer do indeed reach
these people.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">RIGHT NOW they have NO CLUE who NEEDS
HELP and WHO DOES NOT!</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">This is so elementary, it is tragic that
no one has pointed out to our intellectually challenged leaders that it is so
easy to monitor and implement.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">What we see with the meetings held at
the Presidential Secretariat is that no nothings are consulting supposed know
it alls who are ashamed to admit their lack of knowledge. If one takes Samurdhi
Officers at GN level, I know more of them at the Ground Level than anyone
attending a meeting at the Presidential Secretariat who are merely pretending
to know, possibly never having even spoken to a Samurdhi officer at the ground!</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Summary</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The new government is off to a bad start
as they are not doing anything different to what previous governments have done.
I have made suggestions that can be implemented without delay, and all it takes
is a powerful President such as we have to give the order and someone to ensure
those orders are followed with teeth to enforce, to carry out this without
delay and most tasks relating to the public and their needs can be resolved in
a timely manner. This matter is so elementary, the tragedy is that it is the Blind
at the top leading the Blind! <o:p></o:p></span></p>Ratmale,Minneriya,Sri Lankahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17252632858481217930noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7167149547535484177.post-86753038365455157482020-08-01T00:10:00.005+05:302020-08-01T00:10:40.176+05:30Why don't we in SL take advantage of the new technology to improve the quality of life of our people ? App Development/ Wifi with good band with<div class="kvgmc6g5 cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm3OviYJ9TWOSy9JzTQD3hvF46eyYWcq53n3w9B6muV2Dk13IyeGG4gw_XI1m4llqM75KjlAkAdXvM52twE1ugNqh0b9AkAg2G9VeBlz6SBNfECnfYpkktGysVfGyEcVZXf2faSTBhOU8/s448/CIMG0154.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm3OviYJ9TWOSy9JzTQD3hvF46eyYWcq53n3w9B6muV2Dk13IyeGG4gw_XI1m4llqM75KjlAkAdXvM52twE1ugNqh0b9AkAg2G9VeBlz6SBNfECnfYpkktGysVfGyEcVZXf2faSTBhOU8/s0/CIMG0154.JPG" /></a></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">The CEO's of Amazon, Google, Facebook and Apple were grilled by the US Congress on the fact that they have too much power and control in their own fields of influence. The next day they disclosed record quarterly profits, thanks in part to the pandemic, which added US$250B increase to their values.</div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">We cannot fight them, but we sure can make use of their products and services to improve our quality of life. After all that in essence is what life is all about.</div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Sunder Pichai born and raised in Tamil Nadu, the CEO of Google and its parent Alphabet, was accused by Congress of helping the Chinese Government with Defense Secrets! </div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">I too have along with the products of Microsoft, (mainly Windows and Word) can attest that their products and services made matters easier during this period. Apart from going to the Grocery Stores, I have not been to a shop since March 4th, and all my other purchases have been on Amazon, including the streaming service to watch movies and TV programs. In fact I purchased stuff yesterday, for delivery tomorrow! </div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">In fact Amazon has a contract with the US postal service to deliver their packages on Sundays. So when you see US Postal Service Vehicles around delivering on Sundays, it is exclusively Amazon deliveries, such is the power of Amazon.</div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">I only wish that the Government of Sri Lanka makes every effort to provide affordable high speed internet access through the telecommunications companies, throughout the small Island, so that all the people have access to communication. It is very cheap to do so, and the poor will benefit, more than building highways and wasting on an ineffective and incompetent public sector.</div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">At the end of the day the key is to improve the quality of life of the public we are talking about, not some exclusive privilege of a few. Not one of the parties seeking election have mentioned this, as Island mentality thinking does not lend itself to actions in improving the quality of life of the people who live in it.</div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Do a deal with Huawei to distribute low cost good quality smart phones at Rs5,000 and you can be assured another 5 million smartphones will be sold in a year. With every household connected, elections can be no cost and more frequent! Instead of the Rs8B it is expected to cost, when half the people are going hungry. </div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Smart phones give access to Apps that improve the quality of life of rural living, from Agriculture, Education, Transport, Law Enforcement, to Healthcare. The pandemic has further illustrated the value of technology. In the UK 90% of GP appointments are done on line.</div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Recently the news was that a Railway Ticketing Contract was given to a Chinese Firm due to backhanders available to the Rogues In Power. Why? It only needs an app, easily developed in Sri Lanka with NO printed document and could be introduced in days, not years this will take. This from a President who was supposed to know something about IT! Shame on you. Sycophants of the ruling junta please explain without trying to find fault with others.</div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Come on Sri Lanka think ahead for the benefit of the people, not backwards for the benefit of the ruling class and their sycophants. Children still go hungry because of it. With an APP developed by Sri Lankans, no one needs to! Trust me. We can be leaders of the world not followers going in reverse!</div></div>Ratmale,Minneriya,Sri Lankahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17252632858481217930noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7167149547535484177.post-19852120793707387342020-07-28T04:29:00.004+05:302020-07-28T04:34:39.871+05:30The Government Purchase Price of Paddy, sets the bar which determines open market prices and must be done in advance of any commencement of cultivation.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj28iDBwlUnM7-EWXxFBF4_OPyi2L49o7jdP7qpl2bx4Rd2goEOlc7xamiVXqKAbuy0FtVmjyxPos02CV5mQLPiLeMDE1JeZXpxNvtlgY5oFNTm2hRAaie_YXQ79uPWMa_PFWPIFacjZAw/s1600/CIMG9898.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="648" data-original-width="1024" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj28iDBwlUnM7-EWXxFBF4_OPyi2L49o7jdP7qpl2bx4Rd2goEOlc7xamiVXqKAbuy0FtVmjyxPos02CV5mQLPiLeMDE1JeZXpxNvtlgY5oFNTm2hRAaie_YXQ79uPWMa_PFWPIFacjZAw/s400/CIMG9898.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">It was just announced that the Treasury
has allocated Rs10.4B for the purchase of 200,000 MT of paddy this Yala season
where harvesting had just begun in the Kurunegala District, before untimely
rains disrupted the plan. This year it appears that Rs50 is the price for both
Nadu and Samba, and even Keeri Samba as they account for 95% of the paddy
planted at present.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">The Yala season generally has less land
under cultivation, as it is done in the dry season, under irrigation, rather
than rainfed cultivation in the Maha season.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Unless you are a paddy cultivator, all
these edicts are for the General Public’s consumption, as very little paddy is
actually purchased by the Government for their stores, and I will explain why
below. It is possible that NO paddy in fact is purchased by the Government
despite the fanfare of this allocation. It all depends on how the paddy
cultivator disposes of his harvest.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">The
real scenario<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Sri Lanka has finally got to the stage
due to lack of manual labor in agriculture, to use combine harvesters for paddy
harvesting. The latest versions harvest and bag them in one go in bags of
approximately 60kg.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Due to the method of mechanical
harvesting, the newly harvested is not sufficiently dry for the government
stores. The moisture content is checked prior to purchase and is rejected if
they fall outside of those parameters. If the farmer is to sell to the
Government, he has to transport his paddy to places where they can be dried.
Often main roads are used in places to dry the paddy, but other areas are used
as well, and it is a costly, time consuming and labor intensive process for a
small farmer to undergo and transport. The reality then is for the majority of
farmers who don’t have transport and storage facilities, is to sell at farm
gate to the wholesale purchasers who come in their trucks at the present going
rate of Rs42/kg.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Generally, these wholesalers are
subcontracted by the larger millers, to buy this paddy, as they have the
facilities to dry and store this paddy in a manner suitable for their milling
and bagging for retail sale at the right time. Up to 5 large millers control
this market and therefore set the retail price for rice, and any price control
that the Govt. sets is also fixed by the same millers, as they are big
contributors to the political campaigns. They have massive credit lines from
Banks used to buy and store the harvest and use this buying power to control
the price.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">So
what is the purpose of the Paddy Marketing Board and their warehouses?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">This is a mechanism set up for bribery
and corruption from the highest to the lowest levels. You only have to ask any
farmer, how much he has to give to get the State to purchase his paddy. He is
at the mercy of the man with the gadget to test the moisture level of his paddy
when he brings it at his expense to the stores to sell to the State via the
PMB. Much of the corruption comes in where lower quality paddy is purchased at
the stores with moisture content and poor storage where bribes are taken.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Assume then that a certain amount of
paddy is in fact purchased and stored, what then happens to that paddy? Again
the large millers use the PMB as their private storage depot, paid for and
financed by the state. Depending on their needs and stock and movement into the
market, they may purchase the good paddy from the stores where their agents pick
and choose what to buy from the stock. They rarely but at Rs50 and in fact give
some excuse to buy for less. In theory if the Govt. is spending money to store,
they should at least make a profit and sell at a higher price to the highest
bidder, but this is usually not the case due to corruption at the highest
levels.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">What then happens to the paddy that is
of poor quality and often unfit for human consumption? This is sold at rock
bottom prices to the animal feed processing industry, where the Govt, incurs a
loss by this storage.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">It is interesting that a gazette
notification was recently made to prohibit any paddy being used for animal
feed, usually for the processing of chicken feed, due to the high price of
maize and the resulting shortage due to the banning of imports of maize
recently as one aspect of import controls.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">To cut a long story short, my guess is
that most farmers will prefer to sell at farm gate @Rs42/kg and those that do
not have the capacity to dry and store their own paddy selling it at the open
market to small millers in the locality at the prevailing price, which they
hope a month or two after harvesting will be much higher than at harvest time. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">I have followed this price movement with
interest, as I used to buy paddy at rock bottom as soon as harvest was done,
dried and stores and then milled rice as and when I need and transport to
Colombo to feed my household. This way, I am able to cost my paddy (excluding
transport costs, as I usually bring it down if someone is returning to Colombo.
My cost turns out to be around Rs65/kg while the prevailing market price is
around Rs100. One can then understand how profitable this business is to the
large millers, who use all the parts, husk, rice bran, to reduce their rice
costs more than I can and clear around Rs30/kg net profit after costs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">The
moral of this story<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">The real profit is being able to buy at
the prevailing farm-gate, today’s price being Rs42/kg, dry it and store. When
the wholesale market price rises, usually keeping between 40-50% gross margin,
you sell it to a small miller on the open market. Say if my holding and drying
costs, as well as loss of weight in drying all come to half that margin, I make
at least 20% return on cash investment, usually within 2 months, for an
annualized return of 120% on investment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">So it is so ironic that I see wealth in
the village where the farmer is dirt poor, and the local school master who has
studied the subject, and able to store say 30 Tons at a time, being able to
make more money than in teaching and the result is the house he lives in and
the car he drives from this nice little side income!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Don’t forget the market price rises over
Rs50/kg a few months after harvest and the Govt. stores don’t have sufficient
quality to paddy stored to make a profit, and as it is a state enterprise,
bureaucracy and corruption are the order of the day, while in the private
sector, it is YOUR OWN MONEY at stake and the private operator is sufficiently
savvy to know when to cash out.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">This is the reality of the rural
economy, where those that put the most effort have the least reward and those
with capital and staying power reap the rewards. That is capitalism at work and
the only means to improve the farmer’s return is to raise the guaranteed price
sufficiently high, that the discounted farm gate is high enough for the farmer
to get some return. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">The other point not appreciated is that
the large scale farmer, who has his own equipment because he has the larger
acreage to cultivate, has economies of scale, and lower per unit costs of
production, and can benefit. The small farmer is merely eking out an existence
on his tiny plot that by itself is not economical anyway, but encouraged by a
political system designed to enslave a section of people in order to live of
the promises to farmers for electoral sustenance. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">In paddy farming the average unit of
land a farmer farms today is only 1 acre. So those farming 30 acres are able to
reduce their cost of production by at least 50% of the small farmer, who if his
labor is valued at all is losing big time in farming this land, where he would
definitely better of doing something quite different in life to sustain and
feed his family. There is lack of unity among Sinhala villages in pooling their
lands as I have seen many Muslim families in the Eastern Province give all the
land to a group to farm the whole area using the skills, equipment and better
use of irrigation, where the profit is shared, as a rent in proportion to the
land that is used for cultivation, where the owners DO NOT get involved in any
cultivation and can pursue other economic activity instead.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><a href="http://www.dailymirror.lk/breaking_news/Govt-allocates-Rs-10-400-Mn-to-purchase-paddy-during-Yala-season/108-192723"><span style="color: blue;">http://www.dailymirror.lk/breaking_news/Govt-allocates-Rs-10-400-Mn-to-purchase-paddy-during-Yala-season/108-192723</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: black; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><font color="#ffffff">This is a story of how
a rural teacher, bank manager, who has access to say Rs1M credit line or cash
in his mattress, can buy at farm-gate and sell when the market price climbs in
two months, where all he has to do is dry and store at a warehouse next to his
home! He can do this twice a year and make more than his salary for 12 months
as an extra and not even declare this profit, as he is under the radar.<o:p></o:p></font></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<font color="#ffffff" style="background-color: black;"><br /></font></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: black; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><font color="#ffffff">No wonder if a school
teacher can supplement his income this way, as shown, you can imagine the Rs Billions
made by the large millers before amortization of their Billion rupee
investments in plant and storage, even in this recession, where the rest of the
Country are suffering. Make no bones about it, the farmer again draws the short
straw!<o:p></o:p></font></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<font color="#ffffff" style="background-color: black;"><br /></font></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: black; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><font color="#ffffff">All this money is
made on a staple that is the largest contributor of NCD in the Island. (non-communicable
disease) and we are taxing alcohol and cigarettes as sin taxes, instead of sugar
and rice not far behind!<o:p></o:p></font></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<font color="#ffffff" style="background-color: black;"><br /></font></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><font color="#ffffff"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/ruwan.hulugalle?comment_id=Y29tbWVudDoxMDE1ODgxOTQ2MzE1OTk5M18xMDE1ODgxOTU1OTEwNDk5Mw%3D%3D&__cft__%5b0%5d=AZVxM5N7p744f8otPyN2XNEoLv6NzqR9Q1RBSEVim24qv7YPlJvMi653VSzW8uVzPsMznENp7Up3nCWotkv8F84nJEjf7dhEL9XmpbZdIMAlXl2-Ikq2rYU7ZSVupMYbsR0&__tn__=R%5d-R"><span style="border: 1pt none; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Ruwan
Hulugalle</span></a> does capitalism not work? why doesn't 'the profit motive'
increase competition for achieving these fabulous returns, thereby increasing
competition for purchase of inputs and sale of outputs (increasing prices for
inputs and decreasing prices of outputs) ? what's not working in the system?<o:p></o:p></font></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<font color="#ffffff" style="background-color: black;"><br /></font></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: black; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><font color="#ffffff">Risk and access to
cash. Farmers live hand to mouth. There is no perfect knowledge.<o:p></o:p></font></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<font color="#ffffff" style="background-color: black;"><br /></font></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: black; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><font color="#ffffff"> they don’t like messing around farm gates as the big
miller mafia are thugs<o:p></o:p></font></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<font color="#ffffff" style="background-color: black;"><br /></font></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: black; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><font color="#ffffff">I don’t have to
remind you of the harassment I faced during civil war checkpoints in bringing
my rice to Colombo to sell to my customers as the mafia had told the security
forces to stop any transport of rice<o:p></o:p></font></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<font color="#ffffff" style="background-color: black;"><br /></font></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: black; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><font color="#ffffff">They can’t as the big
millers have the muscle to reduce the price if people try to enter. That is why
I said only those under the radar in localities survive in the game<o:p></o:p></font></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<font color="#ffffff" style="background-color: black;"><br /></font></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: black; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><font color="#ffffff">No one wants to fight
the big boys as they bankroll the politicians and are the politicians, so no
different to the mafia cartel. You don’t mess with them.<o:p></o:p></font></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: black; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><font color="#ffffff">It’s simply not worth
it, they are playing other bigger games with alcohol. Interesting to see how
the rice to ethanol investment will play out now that imports are banned. I am
sure they may think that is the next best thing for a Rs10B investment<o:p></o:p></font></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<font color="#ffffff" style="background-color: black;"><br /></font></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: black; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><font color="#ffffff">In investment there
is something called first player advantage crowding out new comers. It’s
similar. Just like Tesla is so far ahead in the game all others are playing
catch-up<o:p></o:p></font></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<font color="#ffffff" style="background-color: black;"><br /></font></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: black; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><font color="#ffffff">Read the article and
understand it is seasonal and annualized return made in two tranches.
Occasionally a loss is made if you read the market wrong or imports are
allowed. Remember in rice world market prices are half and the poor SL consumer
is screwed eating poison at double the price when they can import less
poisonous starch for half. This is what you get in a country ruled by donkeys
voted in by sycophantic jackasses<o:p></o:p></font></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<font color="#ffffff" style="background-color: black;"><br /></font></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: black; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><font color="#ffffff">The uncertainty of
policy is another factor that deters entrants. Who knows what the government
will do after the elections? They may realize the least of the bad options
available may in fact be to float the exchange rate and allow equilibrium at
Rs300 a dollar. That maybes what IMF demands as a condition for emergency life
line. I can’t predict which way the crony capitalists and their benefactors
will turn.<o:p></o:p></font></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/schani.abeyesundere?__cft__%5b0%5d=AZVxM5N7p744f8otPyN2XNEoLv6NzqR9Q1RBSEVim24qv7YPlJvMi653VSzW8uVzPsMznENp7Up3nCWotkv8F84nJEjf7dhEL9XmpbZdIMAlXl2-Ikq2rYU7ZSVupMYbsR0&__tn__=R%5d-R"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1pt none; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><font color="#ffffff"><o:p style="background-color: black;"></o:p></font></span></a></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: black; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1pt none; font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; padding: 0in;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/schani.abeyesundere?__cft__%5b0%5d=AZVxM5N7p744f8otPyN2XNEoLv6NzqR9Q1RBSEVim24qv7YPlJvMi653VSzW8uVzPsMznENp7Up3nCWotkv8F84nJEjf7dhEL9XmpbZdIMAlXl2-Ikq2rYU7ZSVupMYbsR0&__tn__=R%5d-R"><font color="#ffffff"><span style="text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Schani Abeyesundere</span><span style="border: none; color: windowtext; mso-bidi-font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></font></a></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: black; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><font color="#ffffff"> as you can see I like writing stories to annoy
the jackasses following the donkeys blindly not realizing that there is
something called the real world they have left behind, living instead in a make
believe caccoon<o:p></o:p></font></span></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<font color="#ffffff" style="background-color: black;"><br /></font></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: black; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><font color="#ffffff">The above open communication shows the disconnect between
theory and practice, which is the single most annoying thing on FB when I have
to deal with morons, who are not educated in understanding how everything works
in practice.<span style="mso-themecolor: background1;"><o:p></o:p></span></font></span></div>
<br />Ratmale,Minneriya,Sri Lankahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17252632858481217930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7167149547535484177.post-66004190752709414532020-07-27T07:07:00.002+05:302020-07-27T07:07:42.636+05:30I am not a patriot or a nationalist. I was raised to believe it is our heritage to help those less fortunate, in any way we can – IF WE CAN!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPyAQ1CZ87V0Fc9TzheK-mUA6eI-yis7gSWbf4VpAcIs_bjDO7kF7A2qc1-RpurkAWCb6J32tLyo1pOTHrF8FF5A8GpLtk2YWjRstQsRCnnQwJB8cAbREOZRVeqhM_1wPRnl_njp17ZDQ/s1600/DSC00779.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="651" data-original-width="1024" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPyAQ1CZ87V0Fc9TzheK-mUA6eI-yis7gSWbf4VpAcIs_bjDO7kF7A2qc1-RpurkAWCb6J32tLyo1pOTHrF8FF5A8GpLtk2YWjRstQsRCnnQwJB8cAbREOZRVeqhM_1wPRnl_njp17ZDQ/s400/DSC00779.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Photo taken in 2010 at the height of my farming activities. A quick drive to Parsikudah about 90 minutes from my Hingurakgoda property, for some R&R. We took our two dogs Bahu and Megha also.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">We must do what we enjoy, and if that
permits you to help those less fortunate that is fine, but don’t think of that
as a sacrifice, or that you had to forego your desire to fulfill others needs
outside your family.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">I am so grateful to my parents for the
values they raised us in, which have rubbed off on me and my siblings. It has
nothing to do with patriotism or love for our Country or any belief we may have
adopted. It is all to do with duty, if it is possible, to do whatever you can
to better the quality of life of those less fortunate.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">We were never wealthy by any measure of
wealth as my parents did not inherit land or a house, and whatever they have is
by their own hard work. It is due to their behavior towards others and plain
humaneness that we received whatever graces, to live our lives, which by no
means was easy, and few know the sacrifice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">I will reserve the rest of the essay to
what I feel and possibly why. From my earliest recollection, I was never forced
to eat, I was merely told, the food is ready at mealtimes, it is on the table,
please eat what you want, and don’t leave even a grain of rice behind. That has
stood me in good stead all my life. I therefore ONLY serve what I can eat and
nothing more. So I do not like other people who serve full plates for people
and who leave food uneaten, saying that the animals will eat what is left over.
We were told that, it was fine to eat only what you can, as there are many other
hungry mouths who could eat the food you don’t eat, so it is only up to you to
eat what you want. This created, neither greed, nor insecurity! I was sent to boarding
school from age 8, which made me independent.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">In the 1960s, we were less mature than
youth of the same age today, due to various reasons, that I will not address
here. So we were more pliant in accepting that our parents knew best. It was
under these parameters, that once the JVP uprising hit Sri Lanka in 1971, that
my parents wanted and were able to send me to school overseas, first to Australia,
to stay with a friend who agreed to look after me and then to the UK to Boarding
School.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">I count myself lucky to get accepted
into a direct grant school in Cambridge for my O levels and A levels, and even
luckier to enter Bristol University to study economics, and pay British Student
Fees, which was a few hundred pounds a year, though I did not get a student
grant as my parents were not UK tax payers. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">I was fortunate to be employed, upon
graduation, at an international accounting firm, Deloitte Haskins & Sells,
in London in 1978. I was then financially independent of my parents, qualifying
as a Chartered Accountant in 1981. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Having lived for 18 years in the UK and
15 years in the US, I decided to return to Sri Lanka in 2004, only because I wanted
to. I was the Country Manager for Dilmah Tea in London at the time I resigned
my employment and returned to Sri Lanka.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">It was something I wanted to do as I had
not lived in SL . Don’t ask me why. I did not do it for any patriotic reasons! I
had not acquired any wealth in the interim, and all I had when I arrived in Sri
Lanka in November 2004 was around 10,000 pounds to call my own. I had no bank
accounts or assets that I had left behind.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">I had put down Rs300K on a Tata Pickup Truck
for which I had to pay Rs18K a month for the next 4 years to pay it off, and I bought
a property for Rs100,000, an acre of land in Ratmale that I decided to
gradually build a small house, and I bought a plot of land, 5 acres of Swarnabhoomi
land for Rs650,000 in Hingurakgoda, Raja Ela to farm. My father had some land
in Godagama, Meegoda, which was a chicken farm, but which had Coconut and King Coconuts
at the time, and I lived for the next 8 years farming both properties.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Of course, I had returned with a desire
to live the rural life in Sri Lanka, something that was more a romantic notion
than a practical one, primarily as I had no other family obligations, and I thought
the village life was an idyllic one. Within a short time, I realized how
different the village life was in fact!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">It would have been nice to have met a
life partner in the rural area then, but it was not to be, as those I liked did
not want me and those who were proposed to me, I did not have any feelings for.
I had an intention of living a rural life, married with children, but it was
not to be.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">As I had no option, but to earn a
living, I set about that task earnestly, and using a few workers began growing and
selling my produce to my customers in Colombo out of the back of the pick-up. It
was hard work transporting produce between Hingurakgoda and Godagama and then
to Colombo in the thick of the Civil War in Sri Lanka. We had to go through
check points at every level and obtain security permits to transport food items
in those days and it was a living.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">I have blogged experiences during that
time in <a href="http://www.rajaratarala.blogspot.com/">www.rajaratarala.blogspot.com</a>
and <a href="http://www.villagerinsrilanka.blogspot.com/">www.villagerinsrilanka.blogspot.com</a>
It was hard work, where without prior farming experience, I was able to live
off my earnings till January 2011, when I had a disabling accident, while bringing
my produce to Colombo, at Minneriya and the whole operation stopped that very
second, as I was driving the vehicle with the produce to market, and I was the
hands on person without whom the operation would not function. It took 9 years
more for me to be able to walk unaided again and that is a different story for
another day!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Who said life was easy, as I had to live
with the disappointment of my father, and not my mother, who felt I should have
been gainfully employed in a prestigious company in the West, earning big
bucks, considering the sacrifice made for my education, and I cannot blame him
for that expectation, as that was normal in those days to expect a more than
adequate return on investment!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Revisiting
Patriotism and Nationalism<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Like I said, I did it for me, and not
for anyone else. It was selfish and not for any altruistic reason. I have
enjoyed the ride, its ups and downs, and looking back on my life, I feel
fortunate at being one of the few people to have been able to live a full life
of many parts, where most people have a very simple, almost trouble free life
in one field of expertise. Mine was completely out of the ordinary, eventful,
unpredictable and compartmentalized. It’s like 9 lives rolled into one!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">I have not met any Sri Lankan who are
truly patriotic and that word is used very loosely. Many say they had an
opportunity to go and live overseas and chose instead to live in SL. I say that
has NOTHING to do with patriotism and it is do with the balance that was weighed
up at the time to suit their own personal circumstances. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">I find many of the most patriotic Sri Lankans
live overseas because they were pushed out because of circumstances out of
their control. Either life was made difficult for them where they had to leave,
or they chose the best alternative for them and for their intellect to leave. It
is Sri Lanka’s fault for not understanding the contribution they could have
made to Sri Lanka instead of merely decrying their exit.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">If I am merely to use one example, the
best academics that Sri Lanka has produced live overseas, because the system of
academia in Sri Lanka is not based on ability and merit, but on seniority and
incompetence, which has led to a scary deterioration in the quality of tertiary
education in Sri Lanka for which the faculty as well as the Government policy
makers must share the blame.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Sri Lanka has still been unable to
harness the latent talent lying overseas, due to the “Island mentality” of its
people, who see progress with skepticism instead of the whole point being to
improve the quality of life of the people who live on the Island, to make life
easier, simpler and more accessible to the masses. So we have gone backwards,
whereas in the rest of the world, the quality of life of people has improved, I
would even go as far to argue that in Sri Lanka it has got much worse. The
racial divisions, the civil war, and the continuing harassment of minorities, women,
child abuse, hunger and malnutrition are all part of this result. The pandemic
has pointedly shown the fallacy of this policy, but to no avail.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />Ratmale,Minneriya,Sri Lankahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17252632858481217930noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7167149547535484177.post-23101416445809786722020-07-22T03:17:00.001+05:302020-07-22T03:17:17.098+05:30You don’t kill the goose that lays the golden egg!<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Two
key rational objectives upon which decisions must be made.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The Government is desperate for income
from Taxes to meet their obligations<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The Country is desperate for foreign
exchange to import the products that will assist the economy to grow and
prosper as well as providing inputs for the export industry.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">So
how do you go about it?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Look at imports and tax them to
encourage local production if that is the long term objective. Banning just
means that local production cannot immediately supply the lost imports as it
takes a minimum of two years to gear up production to fill the void, and
entrepreneurs need reassurance that they are given incentives to produce
locally, but that there will be NO policy reversal in midstream that will
devalue their capital expended in import substitution.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Using
Milk Production as an example<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Of course there are hair brained schemes
that play lip service to Govt. objectives, but which are approved not out of
public interest, but due to private profiteering. A good example is the import of
5,000 cattle from Australia, ostensibly to breed for increased milk production,
but the reality, was due to bribes or commissions to be made upon imports of
unsuitable animals for the Sri Lankan climate as needed feed was unavailable,
as well as nutrition and medication, resulting in their mass mortality.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Sri Lanka also imports US$500M of
substandard milk powder, mainly from New Zealand that has arguable nutritional
value. There is no argument about the nutritional value of fresh cow’s milk for
growing and healthy children up to age 16. For the longer term growth of local
milk production, sustainable animal husbandry using productive cows must be the
answer. There is enough science and a massive milk producer as a neighbor India,
from whom we can learn the best practice and follow that to achieve these
goals. However it is not done. Each milk farmer is on his own with minimum assistance
from the state.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">If you take pepper, exports for example,
we know what happened. Permission was granted to rogue traders, to import substandard
pepper from Vietnam which was used to mix with local pepper, that changed Sri Lanka
highly prized pepper into a worthless commodity as the quality drop was more
than apparent. Now the industry is in crisis trying to regain its lost prestige!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Ethanol
Production<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The alcohol industry is a very big
business in Sri Lanka. The government gets substantial revenue from excise
taxes. However for some personal grudges, the import of Ethanol a basic ingredient
for the manufacture of alcohol was banned. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">This meant that local production from
the State owned Sugar Manufacturers of molasses was not enough to fill the
void. So Arrack Production suffered, and Government Revenue fell drastically. The
winners were the alcohol manufacturers who raised their prices as demand
exceeded supply, as well as the moonshine manufacturers who found it
exceedingly profitable to bribe the law enforcement to run their trade, with ZERO
revenue coming to the Government.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">We can separately discuss the moral
issues of Alcohol and Tobacco consumption, but at this state it is the Government
Revenue to meet basic obligations that are at stake and all steps taken so far
has been to reduce this revenue stream.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Import
Substitution<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">When foreign earnings fall, especially
due to the pandemic, import substitution takes a new life of importance. I do
not deny that, but it has to be done intelligently on a basis that yield overall
benefit to the Government Exchequer, prevent undue rise in the cost of living,
especially of those items consumed by the General Public, mainly, alcohol,
cigarettes, sugar, milk powder, and other essential food stuffs that bring the
treasury a combined Rs500B in import and excise taxes, both of which are in
serious decline due to the recent policies. If you add duty on vehicle imports
that adds a further Rs100B to the state coffers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">What are they trying to do? VAT the only
other tax is under phenomenal pressure as the rising cost of living has
prevented the general public from buying Vatable goods and services due to
their strained economic times.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Certain products require economies of scale to keep prices competitive. Those industries must be able to compete with export markets to compete with other producers in the rest of the world, so it is a rational comment to say that industries that also export are competitive industries, while those that only supply the domestic market given the protection from import controls, are in fact fleecing the general public with substandard, unsafe local products that will not stand scrutiny elsewhere.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">To choose the businesses we have a competitive advantage in the pandemic, one must just look at our competitors (Vietnam) who have jumped at the chance of setting up production facilities outside China, to supply the USA market which has suddenly shown an aversion for Chinese made goods. Has Sri Lanka added one industry to this list?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Government
Revenue decline is over Rs500B and could rise to Rs1,000B.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">An incompetent administration, whose
economic, fiscal and monetary policy is to reduce the GNP of the Country by 30%
+ in the next year, without having Covid to blame for most of it, due to the
return to the dark ages of the past, where shortages, lines of people waiting
to buy essentials, becoming another Venezuela!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">All this appears is to only temporarily save
the rupee from decline and stop the resulting inflation. I think that is the
least concerning option, as there is no spending money in people’s pockets to
result in inflation. All steps should be taken to contain the oncoming recession
which will last for five years. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://www.advocata.org/media-archives/2020/07/08/extension-of-import-controls-further-batters-sri-lankan-economy">https://www.advocata.org/media-archives/2020/07/08/extension-of-import-controls-further-batters-sri-lankan-economy</a></div>
<br />Ratmale,Minneriya,Sri Lankahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17252632858481217930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7167149547535484177.post-38696766048135190852020-07-18T01:46:00.003+05:302020-07-18T01:48:41.457+05:30Some ideas to improve food security in Sri Lanka - an about face on who to assist (priority)<br />
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Food
Security is the recurring theme for all countries post pandemic, now suddenly
discovering that the old world order no longer holds and unlikely to return,
with a new normal taking over. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Nothing
is more important for a nation - to make sure its residents can obtain their
dietary requirements at a reasonable price. If Governments prioritize this,
other sustainable industries will automatically grow around this. We must be
focused in this direction. Vietnam is a prime example of growing on the backs
of this.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">In
Sri Lanka's context the lip service paid to those in this industry has not
changed at all even post pandemic recession we are in the middle of.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">It
is left to the Private Sector to fend for themselves. They prefer to do it
under the radar, when they reach economies of scale, rather than rely on the
State, as the latter interferes with the independence to operate, with the
normal supply and demand rules. In some cases political interference restricts
organic growth instead of assisting it.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Price
controls time and again have proved counter-productive as they have either been
short term and unsustainable as the recent experience of the Presidential
dictats that barely could be sustained for a month before they were
conveniently dropped without shame! <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The
example in the link below is a success story in the poultry industry which has
been able to supply local demand, and have been able to take advantage of the
void created by supply chain dislocations to export to Middle East Markets of
Halal Certified Products. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">If
one looks at the history of Crysbro they started small and are now one of the
most efficient producers of poultry products. This is due to the
entrepreneurial skill of its founders.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The
State duty is to assist the small scale farmer (not all people farming are
farmers, many are forced to farm because the state has enslaved them by giving
lands instead of maximizing their skills) with potential and desire with
technical knowledge and inputs appropriate to his or her vision. Training is an
integral part of this, in judging those with potential. There are educated
graduates in Agriculture, without the tools to engage in this field, while 90%
of the class are in that stream because they have just got the needed z score
to enter that faculty.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">We
have got all our priorities wrong and we have leaders going to agricultural
area exhorting farmers to export, without selecting those with the most
potential (10% of farmers who have to be identified and selected) and assist
them with improving their skills, productivity, providing quality inputs and
assisting in value addition will provide the needed dividends. One has only to
use the examples of success stories to ask them how they were able to achieve
success to know how to replicate this for so many farmers in SL who have the
potential, desire, and vision, but lack the inputs needed. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">We
must identify this pool of people from the community at large. They are also
the people most suited to run the country as opposed to the present mob vying
to enter parliament. They will turn around this Industry that has been
suppressed with inconsistent policies for so long.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">As
the link shows, 2,000 farmers of maize have a direct market for their produce
to Crysbro so the latter can manufacture their own chicken feed. However the
answer is not banning the import of maize. Banning only increases the price of
inputs making the cost of production of poultry higher, as we have recently
seen. If we were able to increase supply of maize that is fine, but it is not
as simple as that, as the demand has always been there, but farmers need to be
assisted in increasing their output, not due to lower market price, but other
factors, such as poor seeds, lack of fertilizer, and schizophrenic policies
that have increased HEC (Human Elephant Conflict) in growing area, by further
restricting Elephant Habitats.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The
biggest myth is the lack of land to grow. We have at least 2 million hectares
of land that is unproductive due to parceling out land to landless, the most
enslaving policy that SL has performed since independence for political
purposes. If we put back a million hectares back to forest, we can then utilize
the other million hectares into productive agriculture.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Only
a farmer can see this need of balancing productivity with the needs of the
environment and not destroying forests that this Government is bent on doing.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">In
conclusion the key is to identify the potential and develop that. Remember NOT
everyone who is classified as a farmer is a farmer. Please identify the 100,000
people in the country who could be classified as farmers from the 1,000,000 who
are engaged as such.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">It
is the 100,000 true farmers who appreciate sustainability not the 900,000 who
just want a free ride by cutting more trees and forests to further devastate
the land, and the livelihood of a whole nation. It the politician who is
pandering to these bogus farmers for their survival that is killing Sri Lanka
and worsening the crisis.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: black; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14pt;">There is another matter that needs consideration. With the
Government banning the import of maize, a key ingredient in the chicken feed
for the Poultry Industry, the local price of maize goes up, however the supply
does not increase to match the demand. Then the poultry producers increase the
price of chicken as we have seen already, as the feed cost has risen. So if
local demand from the consumer falls, as the consumer has less money to buy
chicken or eggs, then an efficient producer with contacts in the Middle East
has no option but to export if he has a market, where he is able to make a
higher profit margin than selling locally. As long as there is an opening here
that is fine, if you don't have the export leads, then you have to face the
local market realities, of being squeezed, profit wise!</span><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><a href="http://www.ft.lk/dining/Counting-chickens-How-the-poultry-industry-delivers-food-security/39-703238"><span style="color: blue;">http://www.ft.lk/dining/Counting-chickens-How-the-poultry-industry-delivers-food-security/39-703238</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />Ratmale,Minneriya,Sri Lankahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17252632858481217930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7167149547535484177.post-24901403256072103422020-07-13T21:09:00.002+05:302020-07-13T21:09:25.499+05:30The plight of the farmer being asked to export his produce to get a good return!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYH9f3R73C-7bgHaTfKNMVSt7R8YBKAmX81UaJMSRic_wSYcVaMoC9N7AcsX0SBHQZot3QGQQs0uEUUF_c0BJ6cyhLTMvFfE3krEvxw_IHwjAiB8TnBOvC1AQ4UWuhyphenhyphenxo5Sva8EJlIoJU/s1600/Pepper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="425" data-original-width="466" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYH9f3R73C-7bgHaTfKNMVSt7R8YBKAmX81UaJMSRic_wSYcVaMoC9N7AcsX0SBHQZot3QGQQs0uEUUF_c0BJ6cyhLTMvFfE3krEvxw_IHwjAiB8TnBOvC1AQ4UWuhyphenhyphenxo5Sva8EJlIoJU/s320/Pepper.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Lately the President has been exhorting
the farmer by extolling the virtues of exporting his produce, why? <a href="http://www.ft.lk/business/Farmers-could-make-more-profits-by-exporting-President/34-703027">http://www.ft.lk/business/Farmers-could-make-more-profits-by-exporting-President/34-703027</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The country is in dire need of foreign
exchange and that must be in the back of his mind, looking towards agriculture
to come to the aid of other industries that have taken a hit due to
maladministration, which is now coupled with the Covid 19 epidemic worldwide.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">I will use one example, pepper, to make
the point, but broadly the argument holds for other crops too. If we exclude
Tea, and Coconuts, which have a well entrenched system of production and value
addition, that have their own problems as they are traditional export
industries, it is other crops that I will refer in general in my opinion piece.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">90% of the crops in all other
agricultural produce is grown my small farmers in land extents not exceeding 5
acres and few if any farmer, me included are involved in mono crops, as
diversification is considered both an insurance against crop failure or
disease, and better for the overall soil utilization using minimal chemical
fertilizer on the land.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">In my case, I sell almost everything I grow
on my land itself where the consumer comes to my property to purchase the
limited but fresh and generally organic produce on Saturday morning as a matter
of practice. It may be my fault that my revenue has never exceeded my payroll,
and so have never made a profit on my land, and am willing to be branded
inefficient and incompetent, if only you know what I am up against, all manner
of theft from humans and loss due to animal interference!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Be that as it may, like most other
farmers we all produce in quantity that is considered at best home garden
levels in any other country, due both limited land area, and low productivity
and little incentive to use modern technology.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">There are many reasons for that, but
include high cost of labor, in a country where working on the land is a matter
of least preference, and other less onerous alternatives being available, one
being Government Service, even as agricultural extension officers who aren’t require
to do much work for their remuneration.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">It is important to state at the outset,
that if Public Service pay was halved, there would be more people wishing to go
into agriculture at a lower wage, but that will not happen until it becomes
necessary for food security.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Given the above, and that small crops
have a limited harvesting season in Sri Lanka, inevitably, when it comes to
selling one’s produce, over supply is given as a reason for the middle man to
pay much less when purchasing the small yields of the farmers. Due to limited
buyers for produce, the farmer has little choice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">In the case of pepper which is the example
I am using and is no different in concept to others, the small farmer does not
have the equipment (as it is not economical for him to purchase) to prepare it
to a quality for export. So raw newly cut pepper is sold to a middle man who
supplies the exporter who has the machinery to dry and clean the pepper in
order to get the quality needed for export, something that local farmers are
unable to do, as their level of output does not render that investment
worthwhile. Quality is key and is hard to achieve.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">I wonder if the President is even aware
of this process in order to secure export markets, which require much larger
volumes and consistent quality that only a middle man can guarantee, by him
sourcing the raw material to meet the orders in hand. It is foolish even to ask
the farmer to find export markets in this instance.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The State must intervene to give advice
via these agricultural extension officers as well as assist in obtaining the
planting material suitable for that particular area, as well as the guidance on
best practice to maximize on quality yield in the manner of planting and fertilizer
usage etc. This is what the farmer looks for at a minimum from his local
extension officer and does not get. This is the area within the power of the President
to intervene on behalf of the farmer, instead of shamefully extolling and exhorting!
Of course a fairer price is always needed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">I am told Sri Lanka Pepper is the best
in the world and I believe so. It needs to be marketed well and recently, the import
of cheap pepper from Vietnam for re export by crooks maintaining it was Ceylon Pepper
ruined the export market we had, which now suspects any pepper originating from
Sri Lanka. One can imagine what it did to the pepper prices for farmers, some
of whom were ruined by that action. If that was not Government policy to
permit, tell me who’s idea it was!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Whether it is Cinnamon, Pepper, Nutmeg, Cloves
or other spices, Sri Lanka can produce the best in the world, but the final
finishing of the raw produce of farmers to international standards of hygiene
and marketability cannot be done by the traditional farmer and taken up by a
more centralized organization in the private sector, where the farmer receives
a fair price for his product, rather than being fobbed of with the standard
retort of too much supply now that has depressed the price!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">I trust the President instead of putting
his foot in his mouth, sincerely tries to understand the hardest vocation in Sri
Lanka, namely farming and truly helps it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />Ratmale,Minneriya,Sri Lankahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17252632858481217930noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7167149547535484177.post-8935349344524932382020-07-01T23:24:00.004+05:302020-07-01T23:24:58.297+05:30The paranoia of Sri Lanka – another example of island mentality!<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><b>The Chinese woman seen helping a
disabled man sell his produce!</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Recently a post went viral on Social
Media pointing out that a Chinese woman was seeing selling produce in a street
market in Sri Lanka, questioning her rights to sell, saying why are foreigners
allowed to sell in Sri Lanka, as in now they have even taken over our retail
trade!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Now there are Sri Lankans of Chinese
origin and many are my friends. So how could a post like that draw so much
attention? Is it that Sri Lankans are ignorant about the history of Chinese
coming to Sri Lanka hundreds of years ago, and even stories of Chinese
invasions of Sri Lanka. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">It goes to the bottom of their
ignorance, a warped education system that has built a fear complex of being
overwhelmed. Why? We are a land of immigrants, a fact that 90% of Sri Lankans
will deny as again it is a warped sense of history full of mythology that
people believe. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Now it is has come to light that the
facts are that she was astutely helping a disabled person to get more sales in
his stall, and she was not selling anything for her benefit. Who will believe
those facts?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://www.dailymirror.lk/caption_story/Chinese-woman-gives-hand-to-disabled-man/110-190463"><span style="color: blue;">http://www.dailymirror.lk/caption_story/Chinese-woman-gives-hand-to-disabled-man/110-190463</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">In fact knowing Sri Lankans who believed
the initial story, I would hazard a guess to say that over 50% will say the
Daily Mirror article about her helping a disabled man is fake news and that the
original news item that went viral was in fact true.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">When you live in a society of this
nature, you can imagine the frustration in getting intelligent people to see
sense. Now you can imagine why this country continues to elect corrupt
politicians to be in charge of the people’s finances!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">I continue to state that it is all in
the way we are taught. When born we are no different to any nationality, we can
be as advanced as any country we care to point a finger to. However in time we
become regressive in our thinking due to the warped education system that does
not teach people to be inquiring and skeptical in their thinking and not accept
anything at face value until they are able to evaluate for themselves the
likelihood of what they are reading. A certain sense of being able to come to their
own conclusions.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">We still have not learned to decipher
news, from the sources that report it and the credibility of the reporter or
the organization reporting – Aiyo Sri Lanka<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />Ratmale,Minneriya,Sri Lankahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17252632858481217930noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7167149547535484177.post-7752210034747282072020-06-22T23:54:00.001+05:302020-06-22T23:54:55.405+05:30The prediction of post electoral reality in Sri Lanka after August 5th 2020<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_XFt02NRNNlFt-PsokgEK-3EgS-WE0_AnHTSpbFyJCgR20LnIhYuY7btpz__95JW8mWEtOh4Z7Tv0oukpAPDCa7C-s-EClcr0Y5s9WKfF-Zt79KZsH7F7O6PcvwTbvmNgSAd2kx07mOI/s1600/JD.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="296" data-original-width="451" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_XFt02NRNNlFt-PsokgEK-3EgS-WE0_AnHTSpbFyJCgR20LnIhYuY7btpz__95JW8mWEtOh4Z7Tv0oukpAPDCa7C-s-EClcr0Y5s9WKfF-Zt79KZsH7F7O6PcvwTbvmNgSAd2kx07mOI/s320/JD.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">I know people have been saying it for 70+
years – but I will repeat it this time too. Sri Lanka is at a watershed event
now, where the election results will determine how we emerge from the
unprecedented crisis we find ourselves in, a much worse state than most other
countries on earth, despite the major backslapping still unabashedly going on
for winning the Covid 19 war!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The reality is that the Economy is
faltering, while policies to date have not helped in reducing the impact of the
fall, and the people are being misled that whoever comes to power that things
will improve. Whoever manages to form a government, will face an impossible 5
years, a whole term where if not carefully managed the Country could fall into
chaos, starvation, and unrest, further justifying the use of security forces to
quell the hunger of an increasingly agitated populace. Those who can will take
their money and leave. God help the rest of us<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The race card will be played out with a
vengeance in blaming all the ills on a minority community, who will be singled
out as being wealthy, and whose wealth could even be confiscated by fair means
or foul, as they will have no recourse of legal means for defense, when the law
of the jungle reigns supreme.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">If the SLPP faction wins, then there
will be a further move towards China’s sphere of influence, increasing Chinese Power
within SL, so much as to sell most of the sellable assets to pay for the regime’s
very survival, at the expense of the people. The very sin they are accusing all
opposing parties of being engaged in!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Without a vision or concerted effort to
increase productive capacity of <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>industries, especially the most inefficient being
agriculture, as the inputs of imports needed to increase productivity have been
banned, and there is little incentive on the part of the state to use the
latest technology in producing healthy food for the nation’s people to consume.
Stopping food imports will only create chaos.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The sad fact is neither party engaged in
electoral politics has even touched upon the basic right of citizens, freedom
from hunger and ensuring food security and the protection of those who grow the
food from theft, and being left bereft, due to the inability to market as the
populace is too poor to buy despite being hungry~!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The END RESULT in trying to hold onto
power in a Country where there is civil unrest, will be to use the Security forces
to keep the peace and keep the people cowed down and in fear, where the rule
will be simply by fear of arrest and incarceration. Man you don’t know what is
in it for you or me! A dictatorship. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">How
come after 70 years of broken promises we still fall for the same crap?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />Ratmale,Minneriya,Sri Lankahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17252632858481217930noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7167149547535484177.post-47532477133589269342020-06-04T07:21:00.002+05:302020-06-04T07:21:58.168+05:30Why can’t we admit the common ground in what we are trying to achieve?<br />
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The
George Floyd’s death awakening! Now has become politicized!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The
context<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Due to the powerful images that the
world witnessed, when a black man was asphyxiated by a sadistic cop while his
three colleagues seem quite unperturbed, America has come to protest in streets
up and down the country for a week or more now. People are saying it is just
one too many.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Let’s step back and review the real
issue here. The real issue is the way black America feels, and that they feel
that systemic racism has not been eliminated, despite there being a Black
American President for 8 years prior to Trump. Many whites, especially the
young feel that blacks must have a level playing field and are sympathetic to
that cause and are showing their disgust by demonstrating.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The
real situation, generally not mentioned<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">If one looks at the facts, the actual
number of killings of UNARMED blacks by trigger happy or use of undue force by
the Police, is miniscule. Not even 10 a year, while the number of Police
Officers dying from Gunshot injuries is many times that, though I don’t have
the breakdown of how many died from shots fired from Blacks as opposed to those
from whites, as white supremacism is of particular concern in the USA since the
election of President Trump nearly 4 years ago.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Furthermore due to the ghettoization of
blacks with the resulting drug culture and violence they seem to live under,
due to their circumstances in inner city neighborhoods, the black on black
crime is overwhelming with nearly 7,000 murders attributable to blacks killing
other blacks. It would be fair to state that poor blacks look the police, (made
up of all races) for safety and security in such neighborhoods where mothers
fear to take their children to school lest they fall in range of stray bullets
of turf battles of gangs. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">White America avoid such inner city
ghettoes like the plague and for the most part have never set foot in those
areas as they are effectively no go areas. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">So
have we forgotten the real issues here?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">While there is overwhelming support in
the Country for some kind of gun control, especially limiting assault weapons
sales, it is the NRA a broadly white Republican supporting movement that is
preventing reform.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The other more important issue is not
the killings of blacks by cops, but the constant questioning and arrest of
blacks wherever they are due to racial profiling, which has been lost in this
divisive and polarized stance taken. In every instance they are treated more
harshly that whites due to their likelihood of being guilty, as a fact. Is that
correct to profile them, as even black cops are complicit.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">So it is clear what is at stake, but the
right wing or despise the present protests, and who instead concentrate on the
looting and vandalism that a small minority of are guilty of, seem to endorse
the strong arm tactics of the President and fail to understand that he is
simply fanning the flames of discontent, instead of trying t find common ground
and unifying the nation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Whose
fault is it anyway?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The debate has shifted away from where
it should be, to a police brutality argument, and that is why there is no common
ground in which to address the issue dispassionately. The fault lies with both
sides of the argument, as they have been unable to completely stamp out the
rogue elements in society that use the opportunity to loot on the one hand,
while the other side simply think that law and order has broken down in the USA
and the Second Amendment rights for peaceful protest are illegal as they are
without merit and are carried out by the liberal left, a moniker and a misnomer
if ever there was one.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Elder
Statesmen <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Former President in commenting on this
matter, has been very vague, as he does not want to create a divisive line as
in the response by President Trump, and merely states that it is definitely an
opportunity to reset the debate on how racism is being handled in the USA, and
is a great time to improve it with procedures that should be implemented immediately
to satisfy this glaring inequity.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The
silver lining <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Young White America who hitherto have
been very complacent in protesting about injustice, is on the streets in force.
So at least one can appreciate that this is a problem that needs further investigation,
and community participation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="tab-stops: 73.35pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">So the violence, where ATMs being blown
up by dynamite, are merely opportunistic thugs trying to make a fast buck and
obfuscating the real purpose of the protests, MUST not be used as excuses (Arsonists,
Looters, Violent killings) It is unfortunately collateral damage that has
happened, and it is extremely disingenuous of Stations like Fox to highlight the
violence to deviate from the real purpose of the 95% peaceful demonstrations.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">BLM
(Black Lives Matter) <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The right wing is using an organization
that has emerged to safeguard the interests of the Blacks – BLM, as a criminal
organization set to fight the Police. Why are they so full of Bull Shit and
fake news? They are merely making it divisive. So when the Police are arresting
people for breaking curfew is merely inciting anger, if they are demonstrating
peacefully. It is unfortunate that the Police forces have not still learned
compromise. They are using the letter of the law to enforce harsh treatment
instead of engaging the protestors to get their supporters to move.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">When NYPD union says aggressive things
like they are losing control of NYC, that is in itself a statement that is
giving the right wing a chance to gloat. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">They don’t know how to allow crowd
control and but stop riot control and then use lame excuses to arrest peaceful
demonstrators instead of rioters.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The
reality is that the Police are arresting peaceful protestors and they are not
arresting the rioters, looters and arsonists!! What is going on?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The President’s use of National Guardsmen
and out of state Law Enforcement is adding fuel to the fire of protestors. The President’s
job should be to unify a divided nation. Instead he persists in making silly
photo ops, by tear gassing peaceful protestors, whether he knew it or not as
his AG Barr is the one who had issued the order to clear the crowd.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Why are not the first line of defense
the Police, incapable? Why is the second line of defense the National Guard
being used? Why is the President ready to use the third line of defense, the Military,
against their own citizens.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">He is so ignorant that the rest of the
world are looking into his actions and now it is carte blanche for repressive
regimes to use the Military against their own citizens, citing the precedent of
the President of the United States, compromising the peaceful protests around
the world.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">America instead of being the leader of
the Free World is now showing a dictatorial stance that will be used by the
rest of the world to eventually affect their own security or compromising
democracies the world over. What is the result of that? America will have to
increase its defences, its military, as the rest of the world, due to the American
precedent, of using the Military to control peaceful protests. The accusation
that the right wing are laying on the </span><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">protesters</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> is horrific. We know that
right wing agitators and opportunist thugs are using the protests to give ammunition
to the right wing media and President to continue to justify his sledgehammer
tactics. That is the state of the state.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">the 5% of criminals seem to be the darlings of the right wing to bash the 95% of the public genuinely engaged in wanting a more unified nation. Unfortunately the President's goal is division as that is politically expedient to him just as it is for many countries in the world, mainly de facto dictatorships that are now being given the go ahead by Trump. God Help the Rest of the World, as the USA will be OK after all is said and done!</span></span></div>
<br />Ratmale,Minneriya,Sri Lankahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17252632858481217930noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7167149547535484177.post-57943565696355001392020-05-16T02:34:00.001+05:302020-05-16T02:34:13.326+05:30Ode to my twins<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBBDGxt5mMbshjJYFsfEuItRG42bnu6cb3ouOmereliSeoPMtQsXjvPgldYNg0A-PdGAKUSG8xzdhBzXddRIY7q2vNRtf6obLR1fc-FCZOBeBq6aG2ZAdIS9pWINhWRqDKxfM46renB80/s1600/DSC_0317.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="684" data-original-width="1024" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBBDGxt5mMbshjJYFsfEuItRG42bnu6cb3ouOmereliSeoPMtQsXjvPgldYNg0A-PdGAKUSG8xzdhBzXddRIY7q2vNRtf6obLR1fc-FCZOBeBq6aG2ZAdIS9pWINhWRqDKxfM46renB80/s640/DSC_0317.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">You are Terminalia Arjuna in Latin, but to
me just Kumbuk<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">You draw the wind, coolness and wetness with
a look that’s rustic<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Right in front of my eyes, you planted
yourself before I came<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Some twenty years or more, it now seems
insane<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">What changes we have been through? Climate,
flora and fauna<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The nests of Jungle Fowl have gone from
that corner<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Mouse deer that scampered, now only
history negating my task<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">I see you daily if not hourly, but most
certainly when I sit at my desk<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">I feel such a fraud that biodiversity I so
value vanishes <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">But the avian photography I take here,
somehow clashes<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">With that hypothesis. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">You are my inspiration to write, to hope
and expect the unexpected<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">You are my companion of fifteen years as
I watch your length extended<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">You have during this time, shared my hopes,
fears and most importantly<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">My disappointments in love, more than
once, nay a dozen certainly!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">It’s the grove you inhabit that drew me
to live here, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">You were small then, as your brothers
and sisters were<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Much larger, but in you I placed the
hope that I spoke<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">To see you grow and surpass their grandeur
before I croak<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Never disappointing in rain and sun, I pray
you live that my children<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Will feel the same about you that I do,
nay also my grandchildren<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">With that metamorphosis.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />Ratmale,Minneriya,Sri Lankahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17252632858481217930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7167149547535484177.post-29637200728840333002020-04-07T03:19:00.001+05:302020-04-07T03:19:03.099+05:30It’s finally time farmers of Sri Lanka get a fair shake, surely!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8iHi6fOs5Sg6Y9UJ2g8z4vobnN5uuXTm_JQSdn2LnwCzTfAA3A4tZvMX_Hq_lSLIUpkl1wXo7d5jVOL5hhN4ditrnP-CkH-gCWeOJr9iZPEon8XvoOolljIDTMz5AIDPd2T3IDZfFQ00/s1600/CIMG0278.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="448" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8iHi6fOs5Sg6Y9UJ2g8z4vobnN5uuXTm_JQSdn2LnwCzTfAA3A4tZvMX_Hq_lSLIUpkl1wXo7d5jVOL5hhN4ditrnP-CkH-gCWeOJr9iZPEon8XvoOolljIDTMz5AIDPd2T3IDZfFQ00/s320/CIMG0278.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">I have been a subsistence farmer for 8
years from 2004 to 2011 and believe I am sufficiently experienced in all
aspects from growing to final sale to the consumer, to be able to opine
intelligently on the subject as much anecdotes are from personal experience.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Years of just paying lip service to
farmers, in order to get their vote, but eventually with policies that did
little to improve the productivity of agriculture, we in Sri Lanka must once
and for all realize that food security is important and professional farmers do
indeed play a significant role in ensuring that.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">This coronavirus pandemic has brought
food security back into the front burner in Sri Lanka, as some people have only
just realized that over 50% of the food intake of Sri Lanka is imported, and
with the limited foreign exchange at their disposal, that this cannot be one
which is sustainable.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">It is simply ironic, if not tragic that
the only announcement made by the President recently was to guarantee a price
of Rs65/kg for Dhal and Rs100 a tin of fish if purchased from the Government
owned stores Sathosa. In reality with the curfew imposed almost immediately
thereafter, the hapless citizens were in queues kilometers long in order to be given
an allocation of 1kg of Dhal and one tin of fish! Is that fair? You be the
judge of that. This rationing was to prevent a few people including
unscrupulous traders from stocking and selling on the black market at a
premium, but that is what happens always anywhere there is a shortage of
something that is under a price control.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">All this talk is a bunch of hot air, if
we are unable to empower the farmers of Sri Lanka to produce food, be it rice,
or any other commodity in order to feed the populace, and in some cases gain
foreign exchange from their export, mainly of spices. There have always been
programs and incentives to improve agricultural production for the past 70+
years, but apart from the Mahaweli Scheme that brought a lot of irrigated land
under cultivation, there have been few other projects that have truly increased
agricultural output.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">I blame this fairly and squarely on
policies that have not been adequately communicated with farmers to obtain
their input in the practicality of proposed Government incentives to increase
productivity and production as none of the goals have been achieved and no
detailed studies have taken place as to why they have not succeed. In my
experience there have been many inconsistent and disjointed projects that
farmers were encouraged to get involved in that ultimately pauperized him, with
no recompense or admittance of culpability on the part of those who encouraged
their adoption.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">There have been ad hoc explanations,
such as pest control and threat from wildlife that is protected, that have
devastated crops, but in essence no practical steps have taken place to
minimize the impact of this pestilence on agricultural harvests.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Farmers have a dim view of the
establishment believing rightly or wrongly, that all stakeholders plot against
them, in terms of selling pesticides that are useless, or taking action that
increases pests as part of an organized crime to sell more pest control and
weed control chemicals to enrich and local and multinational companies. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Recently, the farmers in Polonnaruwa
were convinced of a plot to cheat/fool them, with the authorities releasing
irrigation water a full 3 weeks after the date by which the water should have
been released for cultivation, which resulted in a crop devastation due to a
blight, which they almost could predict would happen, and the remedies
suggested by the plethora of multinationals who they suspected were in league
to delay sowing, were on no use to save their harvest. This resulted in untold
hardship along with the inability to repay loans taken out for their crop.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">This is merely one of many, this being
the most recent event as of last month (March 2020) but this is one of a long
litany of sins blamed on the powerful agribusiness mafia, that do not have the
needs of the farmer at heart, but mere sale of a myriad of solutions, none of
which was able to solve the problem!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The whole aspect of inputs are stacked
against the famer, as there is a tractor owning mafia that regulate the cost
per acre for ploughing, and combine harvester mafia that regulate the cost of their
work at a price per acre, no matter what the harvest might be, or how easy the
task of harvesting on some land is. Of course the nigger in the woodpile, is
the price finally received for their produce, where agents of the millers wait
like vultures with cash in hand at the time of harvesting, to persuade the
farmer to part with his crop there and then and avoid the messy and time
consuming task of drying paddy. They give a substantial discount over the govt.
guaranteed price, with the latter having considerable strings attached prior to
being purchased at govt. owned warehouses.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">I have not gone into the extremely
unfair method of price fixing at the Economic Centers such as Dambulla for
farmer produce, and as that would take more writing here, I will merely refer
to it here as another thorn in the side of farmers to give them next to nothing
for the produce they toil to grow, under very harsh and trying conditions.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Suffice to say, how on earth can one
expect farmers to come to the rescue of the Country as Food Security Providers,
of far more value than the Security Forces, when so many barriers are purposely
placed in their way?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">There are some private entities that
have entered the purchasing market with guaranteed minimum prices for farmers,
as they sell through their own chain of supermarkets. They do indeed provide
some respite to the beleaguered farmers who join such cooperatives. It is then
of the essence that this model is further extended in order to obtain a fair
price for produce.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Home
Garden Fad encouraged in times of food shortage to fool the masses<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Lately, a lot of media publicity has
been given with prominent personalities showing their efforts at growing
certain vegetables at home, including that of the PM and his wife. It is
laughable to say the least as it is nothing but a stunt to fool the hapless
public that this will go a long way to alleviate the problems at hand.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">While there is nothing wrong for someone
at home who can find some space where they can put some seeds down and grow
some food items for their home consumption and exchange with neighbors if there
is some excess. At best this is a stop gap measure for a limited period of time,
as only a few vegetables grow in this way with minimal intervention and free of
disease. There are people who vouch for this method of growing their home
garden, but they are honestly few and far between and are accomplished in this
task, which the average Joe just cannot begin to adopt. I am not pooh poohing
this idea completely, but it is not the panacea for the low productivity of
agriculture in Sri Lanka.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">We still act very schizophrenically in
assuming we can all grow organic vegetables and MUST grow that way, by banning
the use of pesticides and chemicals. This is purely pie in the sky, unless the
whole island adopts this standard. In areas where this is a mixture, pests
removed from areas of spray gravitate to areas of organic agriculture, making
the task of growing an impossibility. This further pauperizes the well
intention farmers who are promised higher prices for organic food, with false
promises, made by those who don’t know the subject in the first place.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Most commercial farms also seem to have
given up the ghost of agriculture due to the high taxes on farm equipment essential
for low cost economies of scale. Further the labor rate and hiring and firing
practices don’t permit efficient use of labor unlike in the Western Countries
that encourage seasonal labor at harvest time to pick crops for market, as
labor laws are far more lax in this area. There is no culture of work gangs that
go from place to place to harvest, as their skill level and productivity over
the average villager is double, but are not compensated adequately for their
effort, unless a piece rate is negotiated on contract prior to engagement.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">I sincerely believe productivity can
improve if all inputs are evaluated fairly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />Ratmale,Minneriya,Sri Lankahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17252632858481217930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7167149547535484177.post-68297588458354208162020-01-31T04:15:00.003+05:302020-01-31T04:15:48.365+05:30Do you know how many officers of the Department of Wildlife Conservation die as a result of injuries suffered during the course of their work?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc4I890dTDKYXlyKQu5bP5_FiVtW7eQe5cZ5KnHqu0jPIHxZBIqO6xDjk4hB6fWOLStPzWtxrKmFxlzd-o53kFYm77eo3OOFnHqDPjach6WasvvClLW2Qko6v-SRiIyPv4ahq2oxlmGEs/s1600/Wendakaduwa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="596" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc4I890dTDKYXlyKQu5bP5_FiVtW7eQe5cZ5KnHqu0jPIHxZBIqO6xDjk4hB6fWOLStPzWtxrKmFxlzd-o53kFYm77eo3OOFnHqDPjach6WasvvClLW2Qko6v-SRiIyPv4ahq2oxlmGEs/s400/Wendakaduwa.jpg" width="247" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Another
gentleman Mr WMAD Wendakaduwa succumbed to injuries from a wild elephant yesterday.
He has 35 years of service under his belt and an expert in the area of moving
elephants from troubled spots. He was loved by all and respected as an expert
in this field.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">These
incidents are now the norm rather than the exception, due to the increase in HEC
(Human Elephant Conflict) issues. Their families are now fearful of their lives
each time they go on duty. They carry guns to protect themselves, mainly from
poachers, and they risk their lives to protect our Biodiversity.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">There
are too many of this happening and we as a nation must do all we can to (i)
appreciate the dedication of the work that the staff of the DWC especially
those of the minor ranks to reduce the impact of wild elephant attacks to
villages, often at high risk to themselves as in this instance, (ii) go on anti-poaching
patrols in the dead of night, having to avoid dangerous traps laid down by
poachers, (iii) attend to villagers concerns in when there are elephant attacks
incurring their wrath as the blame for elephant attacks, (iv) deal with injured
wild animals and transport them for medical attention, (v) secure the borders
of the Protected Areas from incursion and deviants, such as sand miners, gem
miners, quarry cutting and tree cutting gangs, again at immense personal risk
to themselves, to name a few of the tasks as well as maintain the National Parks
and do the needful to protect our diverse Flora and Fauna. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">A
country that spends inordinate amount of energy in revering the Security Forces,
don’t even give a mention to these individuals who risk their lives every day
in the course of their work. Their pensions, death benefits especially while on
hazard duty, and the welfare of disabled staff and families of those who have
been killed must be reviewed if we are to attract the quality and caliber of
people such as Mr Wendakaduwa in future.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">It
takes a special person to work in this field, one who understands the forests,
the wild and the dark. I have lately written much on this subject, hoping to
catch the attention of those who must take action to upgrade this task and its
members along with giving the necessary tools for their work. Otherwise being
penny wise and pound foolish in this area will result in more casualties, and it
is the Country that will survive. The indirect benefit of their work helps Tourism
immensely.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">I am
led to understand that this accident took place when in the process of
tranquilizing a wild elephant. It is possible that the anesthesia used may not
have been effective. There are many reasons for this. It could be that the
quality was sub-par for the task at hand due to cost constraints and sourcing
from less respected suppliers. It could have been because the elephant was so
badly shot up with lead in its body, that the tranquilizer was not able to
penetrate its body as quickly as expected. However there are many factors and
it is these innocent people who have to contend with these mistakes.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">There
is also an acute shortage of Vets within the DWC to attend to calls all around
the Island, who cannot get to places fast enough. After all it is more important
for them to have the use of a security forces helicopter to get to places, MORE
than either the President or the PM as their work is more important.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The
DWC is a Cash Cow to the Treasury who seem to have forgotten that they need a
much larger allocation to do their job properly and not to allocate money for
the elephant fences which have added to HEC instead of other more practical
means such as what I have alluded to which may be more productive.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">HEC
is an increasing issue, and mercifully, the GOSL saw sense in not providing
guns to chase away elephants which would put more lives of these DWC staffers
at risk instead of alleviating an already dangerous level of angst that the
elephant population have grown accustomed to against human beings for their
activity.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">All
I can do is raise awareness, and hope that common sense prevails, but how many
more deaths of our great and good fearless warriors must it take for the powers
to wake up. I just don’t want the life of this individual I refer to, to be in
vain, in the valiant effort he has made of 35 years to save so many lives.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Who
is the true RANAVIRU here? I hope his dedication will be noted, highlighted,
and remembered for the true hero he was, doing his job with no song and dance,
just humble to the bitter end! <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />Ratmale,Minneriya,Sri Lankahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17252632858481217930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7167149547535484177.post-18682422080866352232020-01-30T06:25:00.000+05:302020-01-30T06:25:37.106+05:30The absurd level of panic in Sri Lanka – Coronavirus Panicatacus Syndrome!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj62yxSY0UPxRdIkxAWwB0gq7hFjlxP-BHePIPCoOc8mbGLl6PNnECfzo9RHTzjkVQmYfAUNxHfwMBPS3D6c1lvj9hLWdm_epMicWlrdpwxuxpPIaQUpM5g-yoVcDHe_xtXkyqNZxLMzWc/s1600/Face+mask.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="408" data-original-width="612" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj62yxSY0UPxRdIkxAWwB0gq7hFjlxP-BHePIPCoOc8mbGLl6PNnECfzo9RHTzjkVQmYfAUNxHfwMBPS3D6c1lvj9hLWdm_epMicWlrdpwxuxpPIaQUpM5g-yoVcDHe_xtXkyqNZxLMzWc/s320/Face+mask.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The way the people of the Country have
been unnecessarily alarmed due to the Coronavirus is worrying, and an
indication of how gullible, how insensitive, how racist, and how melodramatic
the people are in general with a few exceptions, which indicate the nature of
the public.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The over use and therefore shortage of
face masks, which are really of minimal value, over something as simple as
regular washing of hands in antibacterial soap is a case in point. After all
apparently only one is a hundred people who contract this virus is likely to
die from it, makes Dengue and its prevention in SL is a far more disturbing
public health issue than what Corona will ever be and I don’t see anyone making
that point.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">As a nation merely moving from sound
bite to sound bite, the true extent of what one should be concerned about is
not taken into account. It is more important to safely cross at a pedestrian
crossing than put on a face mask, as the likelihood of being run over by a vehicle,
exceeds that of even contracting the virus, let alone dying from it! I hope
that puts in context what we are seeing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">So when travelers say that even at the
airport they are being treated as if they have come from a danger zone when
99.9% have not, you can imagine the chagrin with which oncoming tourists will
feel the authorities in Sri Lanka behave.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">The host country must not </span><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">instill</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> fear
into our visitors who don’t bring this virus and the shoddy treatment of anyone
remotely looking slitty eyed as we don’t still know how to distinguish between Japanese,
Korean or Chinese, makes it even more embarrassing. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">I was informed by a friend who works in
a restaurant that they are wearing masks when serving. They have not been told
that washing hands is more important in the prevention of the spread of the
disease if one were infected. What is the likelihood of a patron of being
infected? It is enough to put people of their food if they are trying to enjoy
a meal in a restaurant without feeling they are in a hospital. It is not one
which the patrons will like especially if they are not wearing a mask.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Then finally the false sense of security
created by the masks is an important consideration. After all there are many
masks in the market, especially now that don't conform to minimum acceptable
standards. So they only give a veneer of safety without actually being safe,
and give another person a false sense of security which is worse than not
giving any sense without a mask. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Just think</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />Ratmale,Minneriya,Sri Lankahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17252632858481217930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7167149547535484177.post-37964359457551154352020-01-30T05:45:00.000+05:302020-01-30T05:45:21.807+05:30The LRT caput! The GOSL is going to review the Fort Malabe Light Rail Transit project that is funded by the Japanese on concessionary terms.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvbM5TmYey5h6kemWzo18PYDEFUJyafLsXj3G0zPZe0iRDPzA8CvbREi6ROF7qfKCxrKTSK1V9mwXz3BMnbNphpMhFCO-5x1CxD58ih434oBFhszIs3mvePcjVyr34RwwaYnA6OO7gqus/s1600/Monorail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="960" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvbM5TmYey5h6kemWzo18PYDEFUJyafLsXj3G0zPZe0iRDPzA8CvbREi6ROF7qfKCxrKTSK1V9mwXz3BMnbNphpMhFCO-5x1CxD58ih434oBFhszIs3mvePcjVyr34RwwaYnA6OO7gqus/s320/Monorail.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://www.themorning.lk/pg1-lrt-deal-to-be-renegotiated/">http://www.themorning.lk/pg1-lrt-deal-to-be-renegotiated/<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">It has taken 5 years of discussion to
get to this stage, only for the whole project to be renegotiated and likely
cancelled. This is because much of JICA funding is long term concessionary and
based on terms that often includes the use of Japanese Firms in their construction
and low commissions and bribes paid to local intermediaries. The real issue of
the commuter seems to be the least concern.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">It is likely then that we may end up
getting a Chinese<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>company bidding and being
granted the contract, after a lot of wrangling on the payoffs, so another 3 to
5 years will be wasted before construction begins and it is likely that it
would be finished by 2035 at the earliest if past practice is an indicator of
future likelihood.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Can you imagine what the traffic would
be in Colombo by then? If it is costing a Rs1B a day in lost work now it will
soon cost RS2B a day in about a month from now when traffic snarl ups are the
norm rather than exception and while the people of Colombo and the suburbs suffer
just to come to work, does anyone think they can ever work once they do arrive?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">It is under this ridiculous scenario that
we have people making life and death decisions without a care in the world for
the suffering of the people involved. When China can build a 1,000 bed hospital
in 10 days, lawmakers are simply unable to execute a project during the period
they have power, so when the next bunch of bozos come on the scene just to
mothball the previous project because they somehow think they don’t share in
the spoils, whose spoils are they concerned about, but their own? We the people
bear a huge responsibility in electing the people with unchanged outlook on what
the future should look like let alone any care for the future.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">I suggest it is better to move Government
out of Colombo, to somewhere livable like Polonnaruwa and build a lean and mean
capital using latest technology and a tenth of the workforce so that in future
the people will not be burdened in carrying a weight of non-productive workers,
as now the displaced workers can actually be released into the Private Sector
to add value to the economy and industry, so the Country can actually move
forwards instead of backwards.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">It is utterly frustrating that no short
term measures have not been adopted to relieve congestion, like a fleet of
electric buses that provide free seating from Malabe to Fort where it is AC and
seating only where standing passengers will not be permitted. If this causes a
riot then provide this at least at Rs100 a pop, so that one car for each
passenger would be removed from the roads. This after providing large parking
lots in Malabe for drivers to park and use public transport.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />Ratmale,Minneriya,Sri Lankahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17252632858481217930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7167149547535484177.post-11769983730962957392020-01-28T02:16:00.001+05:302020-01-28T02:16:16.886+05:30The Setting of Traps and Trap Guns – a particularly indiscriminate form of cruelty!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgytcgy6QqR8o2cD0oUqt6vJNzxHCn1kk2AzPMxDAbvW8sGbHtfyv3lEsYGMsjI-OrjjxJGs-giNtN93IMxpI4hAZ9DGql4fo56K3k6hjBsMkMWtblc_LNAhUzsKjMV0ntEaCCXIZbSwaU/s1600/DSC_7678.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="572" data-original-width="400" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgytcgy6QqR8o2cD0oUqt6vJNzxHCn1kk2AzPMxDAbvW8sGbHtfyv3lEsYGMsjI-OrjjxJGs-giNtN93IMxpI4hAZ9DGql4fo56K3k6hjBsMkMWtblc_LNAhUzsKjMV0ntEaCCXIZbSwaU/s320/DSC_7678.JPG" width="223" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">How about strictly enforcing the ban on
traps and use of trap guns with increased vigor, distinguishing it from other
form of hunting?<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Poaching is an organized crime, and like
felling of trees, sand mining, distilling moonshine, they continue unabated as
they receive patronage from the very top, and the connivance of the security
forces by way of corruption to look the other way.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">If you speak to staff of the Department
of Wildlife Conservation, whose task it is to catch poachers, their biggest
fear when out patrolling is being injured or killed by traps and trap guns that
are very carefully camouflaged. Most often no one is apprehended for trap guns
and traps as the deed is done remotely, without the culprit present, except
when setting it. Trap guns also kill many innocent civilians who happen to go
into the forest to pick medicinal plants or berries for personal use, the
occasional poacher falls prey to his own trap. If my suggestion below is acted
upon, the DWC staffers will be more productive in their tasks too. A win win
proposition.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">It is time to distinguish this
particularly nasty method of maiming and killing, including Hakka Pattas where
food items are wrapped in poison or fuses that blow up upon touch.<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Man has hunted for a livelihood since the
beginning of the human race, however they have been banned from hunting in Sri
Lanka only in the last 50 years. However due to this urge for continuation,
there are poachers everywhere and every day in the Island now.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">If poachers know that society does not
or will never tolerate this particularly nasty form of killing and maiming
where even small elephants fall prey to this vicious form of cruelty, we may as
a society be able to reduce the incidence of this form of horrific killing. It
is state sponsorship of publicity, of show trials covering all media when
people are apprehended, and earnestly informing the police that they too will
be harshly punished, if there are traps found in their jurisdiction, that will
show results by seeing a reduction.<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">My contention is that every rural police
station knows who poach. So it is actually easy for them to give out the
message that as they too will be implicated in such instances, poachers are
more likely to listen and desist. With new technology, this form of killing
becomes easy and nastier and more horrific. Why have we not been able to get a
handle on it?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Traps are indiscriminate forms of
killing as they don't select which man or beast is caught in the trap. It is
the worst form of killing. In nations that permit hunting, they are able to
prevent such practices, as they are able to provide the hunter with an outlet
for their desire that is hard wired in their DNA in a more humane way! My
contention then is that the laws in Sri Lanka have not prevented the worst form
of animal cruelty, by banning all killing, and in fact created a bigger
platform for traps and trap guns.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">There are professional trappers in many
countries, who are competent in only catching the vermin they are permitted to
kill, and so don't engage in the practices that poachers use in Sri Lanka. The
Media and Police must act publicize this form of killing as being totally
unacceptable and the Government do its part by increasing the sentences and
fines for their use.<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">I can only hope that common sense
prevails and we are able to civilize our poachers from being indiscriminate
killers to more selective type. Of course my desire is to see a species
management program, so that their energies are directed in the right direction
and we are then able to save animals that are endangered at the same time.
After all the suggestion above is not to encourage hunting, but to re direct
their skills in the right direction eventually, when Sri Lanka matures to a
true era of sustainable practices of farming and wildlife management.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />Ratmale,Minneriya,Sri Lankahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17252632858481217930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7167149547535484177.post-20742373167285558042020-01-24T21:17:00.001+05:302020-01-24T21:17:21.344+05:30The peacock – time to use the bird in the context of species management!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK67YvNtdDwK22DLqnZK2yuT1FAmtxbBK0BGBx6UntBagEzfwUkOdILcQ2r_-0rTJIiWXOBwO6QckU1_K0zraU3amLhOs69SQL4PArRSTQ2QtnLhfPpg3WE-LygpgWD2v0Q70NY4gpqTk/s1600/DSC_5906.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="645" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK67YvNtdDwK22DLqnZK2yuT1FAmtxbBK0BGBx6UntBagEzfwUkOdILcQ2r_-0rTJIiWXOBwO6QckU1_K0zraU3amLhOs69SQL4PArRSTQ2QtnLhfPpg3WE-LygpgWD2v0Q70NY4gpqTk/s320/DSC_5906.JPG" width="201" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">What if we do nothing? The population of
peacocks in the Country is rising to proportions, where it is becoming a nuisance,
doing more harm than good. We can get the experts to confirm or deny my
hypotheses, using tried and tested scientific methods. This may be broken down
by District, if we need to know if there is a dearth in some and excess in
others if the need arises. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The same scientists and zoologists can
give reasons as to, ‘why it has happened’, to explain their natural increase,
such as the decimation of the jungle cats who used to kill small pea fowl for
their food. This may give credence to the circle of life being put out of
equilibrium, as an argument for their culling.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">I believe I saw a clip of Professor
Kotagama, the expert on birds of Sri Lanka, putting forward an argument for
their population control, as they may have a detrimental effect on our Endemic
Bird survival or for that matter of other biodiversity. I don’t know if this is
an introduced species to the island, as it may arrived in the island a few
thousand years ago, with migrants. I wonder if historians have definitive
knowledge of this. As this species is very resilient surviving in temperate
climates like the UK, this is a possibility.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">We then arrive at the topic here of
species management. I can now imagine how some conservationists may believe
that the subject must not be tolerated, because they will say it is the
beginning of the end! That means if we allow culling of peacock, when will the
culling of elephants begin? I believe that is not an excuse to begin our debate
on this subject, a much less controversial subject, if we are to begin
intelligent discussion on long term biodiversity survival.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">We will have a whole set of stakeholders
who wish to express their views. They include religious beliefs, where the
peacock is considered sacred and inviolable. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">In today’s world there are so many
opinions arguments, now fake news being spread around, to back one’s opinion,
which is intended to cloud the original argument. You will even have a set of
people saying “with more land cleared for farming, the traditional land of the
peacocks have been encroached upon by man and so we cannot allow this.” This is
because they don’t know that the likely population of peacocks when the country
was covered in forest. It is likely that we have more peacocks in the Country
today, than we have ever had in the whole history of Sri Lanka. The circle of
life kept this population in check due to other species that was their natural
predator having a much bigger presence!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">So let’s concentrate on answering if
there is a problem. If so what is the solution and what are the consequences
arising from implementation?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">So now is the time to begin talking,
getting a plan of action and state sponsorship, using our State Universities to
use their knowledge to begin this discussion without delay. The whole world has
begun, we are as usual not on the page yet! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />Ratmale,Minneriya,Sri Lankahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17252632858481217930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7167149547535484177.post-90320977654386071002020-01-24T02:06:00.000+05:302020-01-24T02:06:05.591+05:30If only we were able to send our 1,000 best hunters to the USA we can reduce poaching substantially<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"> and the USA would love to have them!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">This is not pie in the sky or a joke, it
is a win win proposition for all.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">No one in Sri Lanka realizes that we
have over 5,000 hunting parties going hunting every day. They hunt deer,
monitors, porcupine, sambhur, wild boar, and even monkeys, and unfortunately,
traps are used that kill people and kill leopard as well. Of the daily hunting
parties, only 10% are successful, as often they return empty handed, due to the
game, already decimated by over hunting.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">One thing is clear about the hunters,
not only do they do it as there is a big pay day if they bag a deer or sambhur
as game meat commands a high price in hotels catering for locals, and for the
top brass of the armed forces who pay top dollar for game, most often the
hunters only survive at best and occasionally have to pay protection money to
the Police or share the proceeds with them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The bottom line they have a rotten life,
and go through incredible hardship in eking out a living.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">So the reader of this must think I am
partial to hunters, and condone this killing. Far from it. However put yourself
in the shoes of the hunter. You have to understand his point of view if you
want to reduce the incidence of killing of endangered and species that are in
short supply. Don’t forget the food chain is a very delicate balance and if
some of it goes out of equilibrium the whole eco system goes out of whack.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">So for example because of the heavy use
of pesticides, the large communities of jungle cats have disappeared and are
very hard to find or see. This means that baby peacocks they used to eat now
thrive and are now a pest in the Country, so much so that it is very harmful
for the farmers too. However not only are they protected, but there is a
religious element that does not want them killed either. However as they are
not endangered, and they are now overrunning many places it is a matter of time
before culling will be permitted to control the over population. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Though Sri Lanka is a small island,
there are pockets where certain species are over populated, while in other
areas they are under populated. This is partly due to farms, urban gardens and
food sources. So monkeys are a menace in certain areas, as well as wild boar,
in addition to the peacock, giant squirra and porcupine.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">As there is no proper study of this and
species management program, all our hunters are effectively poachers and that
is why I would like to give them relief.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">My first suggestion was to use these
poachers as game keepers as they are the best to do that job, knowing the
animals very well as well as their behavior especially, nocturnal patterns. If
we have a system of rehabilitating them, and using their skills then for
example the DWC can improve their performance in protecting Biodiversity. It
does not seem to be happening.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">So what is the solution? Have a plan to
ship them to the USA where you treat is as a job that is badly required in the
USA but there are fewer people willing to do it. There is a huge demand for
hunters as trappers in the USA to reduce the over population of vermin and this
is where the coyote comes in.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The
Coyote<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The coyote is the USA equivalent of the
Jackal and due to urbanization the population of the coyote is increasing by
leaps and bounds. Despite the estimated killing of at least 400,000 coyote
yearly in the USA their population, especially in urban areas is rising.
Earlier they were poisoned, but this is no longer used, as it may affect the
food chain adversely, so alternative methods need to be used.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">I am using coyote as just one example,
but there are many species that can be legally hunted in the USA due to the
need to control populations of certain species. For example due to the
decimation of wolves in North America, the population of coyotes expanded, as
wolves used to kill coyote cubs. That is not to say coyotes are also have their
place in controlling other species too, so there is a balance in how they too
are controlled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Here in Arkansas where I am they can be
freely killed without a permit. The beauty of it is that our hunters are superb
at their job. Just give them a good gun and they will be top of the game. See
what they have to put up with. They make their own guns, very primitive ones
that are used for hunting. So if they have access to proper hunting rifles it
will be like ducks to water.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Now coyote pelts were in demand in the
past to export to countries to make fur clothing. So just imagine our hunters
came for a season each year, collect all the coyote pelts they can and ship
them back to Sri Lanka, and make the winter clothing from these natural pelts
and re-export them to countries that demand them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">So what is the catch in my plan? Our
hunters will get too used to the good life in the USA and will want to do some
easy job, instead of hunting and skip town to work in a gas station and work
their way up the food chain in the USA. If they stick to what they know best
they can have a good life, it can reduce the vermin by the use of world experts
and they can earn a good living for their families.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="https://www.economist.com/united-states/2020/01/16/unpacking-the-rise-of-urban-coyotes"><i><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">https://www.economist.com/united-states/2020/01/16/unpacking-the-rise-of-urban-coyotes</span></i></a></span>Ratmale,Minneriya,Sri Lankahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17252632858481217930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7167149547535484177.post-58908352284139206742020-01-22T05:16:00.003+05:302020-01-22T05:29:23.696+05:30The fall out of the Ranjan Ramanayake speech in Parliament on 21st January 2020<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Wee-CTnwzYVdHz7NFqHA4Um6RZZc0nolFtiNKgiO8Q_c5sda6zqVihFhXivx3RrqH2dKcevgWQ1rNaMoIgeG52BczTjb2XBJhcC3-SKTWPeQleoNi7EiZWAhbR4OlOx2RrHOmNygZEU/s1600/Corruption.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Wee-CTnwzYVdHz7NFqHA4Um6RZZc0nolFtiNKgiO8Q_c5sda6zqVihFhXivx3RrqH2dKcevgWQ1rNaMoIgeG52BczTjb2XBJhcC3-SKTWPeQleoNi7EiZWAhbR4OlOx2RrHOmNygZEU/s320/Corruption.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-vMAJQflmc">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-vMAJQflmc</a></span></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">This
is how you eviscerate Bad Apples from your midst (January 21<sup>st</sup> 2020)</span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">How
to clean up corruption from within your ranks?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Coming out of the national discourse,
emanating from the speech today that Ranjan Ramanayake gave in Parliament, it
is apparent that he has a point, that the Crooks are mainly inside Parliament
and many like him in jail (he was permitted to come out of remand prison to
attend Parliament as an MP) are cleaner than those outside.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">He did not hold back. He accused
everyone including his own party the UNP, from which he was not only expelled,
but also his organizer-ship and other positions he held, were also denied him,
that he spoke now as an Independent Member.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">You cannot be in Parliament if you are
honest and say nothing when your colleagues are crooks. However for your own
life, and your security, you don’t open your mouth and speak the truth, even if
you know what the truth is. The people deserve better.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">He shat on so many people it was not
funny. However if we take just a simple example of SB Dissanayake telling Ranga
Bandara, that if he changed sides from the UNP where he was, to the SLPP
Pohottuwa Mob, at the time there was the illegal takeover of power by Mahinda
Rajapakse, that he would immediately be given a Cabinet Minister Post, is
anything but treason. So the Trump impeachment sounds like a joke in comparison
to such inducements to change the course of history and go against the people’s
mandate, not that it means a thing to Mahinda Rajapakse or his Government either,
who are currently in power, along with the Drug Lords like Kudu Smell L as an
MP who spoke immediately after Ranjan Ramanayake’s speech.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">What is the least that we owe to the
public of Sri Lanka? They have been led a dance by the very people, who bend in
two to worship when they arrive at their doorstep to give or take! In order to
correct this mistake and change the course of history, it is simply incumbent
upon those who are honest to rat on the dishonest. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Well well, it was Ranjan who had the
courage. How? He taped and video’d as much of his conversations as possible. When
he needed proof to back up his words, he had the dirt on them. How can you look
the people in the eye in prison, and feel sorry for them, as you should be
serving a longer term than those poor hapless prisoners? They have no one to
defend them, and are often the fodder for the sins of the drug lords or
criminal gangs for whom they are doing the dirty work, or take the rap to save
the bigger fish. I would love to be a fly on the wall, listening to prisoners’
conversations. I would like to know if they gave RR a standing ovation on his
return.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The
speech in parliament that has now gone viral on the Internet<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Having logged over 200K of hits or views
within hours of the speech being uploaded to Youtube, means that within a month
half the population of Sri Lanka would have heard the tapes. How would they
react?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Will they get a shock at the level of
corruption in the judiciary and police? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Will they be shocked by the revelation
that some Buddhist Priests are pedophiles?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Will they be angry that their heroes have
been crucified in public for corruption?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">I could go on and on in this
speculation, but more to the point, I did not even detect a sense of shame even
among the UNP politicians from whose ranks he spoke, despite being stripped of
his party membership. The UNP is in turmoil, just as much as Mahinda Rajapakse
and his mob, and they all deserve to be hounded out of parliament by a frenzied
mob who should not be stopped by the security forces, who must now understand that
they cannot protect rogues, purely by the fact they are Ministers or MPs and/or
are holding office as their superiors.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Yes, the Parliament of Sri Lanka is an
exclusive members club. It is for the Members and against the interests of the people
of Sri Lanka, who they have promised to serve. They have repeatedly broken that
promise, only to serve themselves. The heavy cost of seeking entry into
parliament is simply not an excuse for corruption. They fund raise from people
who they then protect, or give favors to. It lacks transparency. It is then
only an old fashioned or glorified Masonic Temple with members, Free Masons,
there to help each other succeed financially at the expense of everyone else.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The people cannot revolt as this will be
brutally suppressed by the powerful armed forces, who are not trained to think,
just to follow orders no matter how unjust. Unless the lower ranks are able to
come out of their shell of ritual suppression and draw the line in the sand for
justice and protect the innocent, there is no practical way out. The JVP is not
the answer as they are no longer without blame for their part <br />
<br />
The odds are stacked against the innocent and there is no external party who
will come to save them or for that matter even support them. The people are on
their own, rudderless, leaderless and so hang on to dear life to the purse
strings of criminals as security from unjust repression. They are all looking
for salvation from tyranny.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">On
this basis Hemasiri Fernando and Pujitha Jayasundera look like saints!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">They have been in remand for months, not
given bail for the charges they are accused of, when in fact both Maithripala
Sirisena and Ranil Wickremesinghe are more to blame than these incompetent men taking
the rap, with the jobs of Secretary of Defence and The Inspector General of
Police (technically Pujitha is till the IGP)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Most religions have set the standard to
say that sins of commission and sins of omission don’t have any different
values. They are both sins. On this basis, while knowing the people in your midst
are rogues and criminals and are guilty of treason, does not mean you are not
held accountable for not bringing allegations against them, as much as you have
evidence against them to light. Hence all MPs are guilty.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">This is completely my logic in
preventing any present Member of Parliament from holding future office as an MP
and for that matter barred for life from serving in any elected capacity, where
the voters are the general public. You can if you want be elected a chairman of
a club of crooks. That is your prerogative, but not one that represents the people
of Sri Lanka.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">It may also be time to re write the
constitution to prevent these lawmakers from ever being elected in future. It is
so easy to do, but as the power of two thirds rests within Parliament, in which
among them two thirds are rogues with privileges the general public are
excluded from, it has to be done away by legislation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">This is a seminal moment, on the eve of
a General Election to make changes that are far reaching and consequential.
Coming so soon after the Ranjan Ramanayake revelations, that no Media in the
Island have still exposed, as they are implicated, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">So
what is the problem in implementation?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">This is the age old problem when a whole
country has been hijacked by crooks. They hold the power. Only they can change
the law and they are only taking steps to protect their turf, not to destroy themselves.
Of course they are not foolish enough to destroy their own comfort zone of
corruption. However the risk and chance that Ranjan Ramanayake took can only be
built upon if the people are on the same page with him, and rise up to the
occasion and say enough is enough!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">We simply cannot play the same game of
politics. It has not improved the quality of life of the poorest of the
Country, and worse it has permitted people like the paddy Mafia to rule without
shame or control over a vast swathe of society, with no consequences, or
barriers to their power at price fixing and keeping the farmers in permanent
penury. It is so easy to change, let’s just do it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />Ratmale,Minneriya,Sri Lankahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17252632858481217930noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7167149547535484177.post-85613872755705715762020-01-12T01:49:00.002+05:302020-01-12T01:49:55.677+05:30One way of increasing agricultural productivity, is to stop massive waste of precious inputs<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_u3DPB9-vRy8YnGA1FbJm7EnyG9B7ysaOavnUx31u9u1pKIT9DluVPBLzzwwe_W0oJQpMixe24zjBIkRbMxsOv-Gch5qTmlfrzgQ_Eh1m56MqbN05KYQKNHcdoPyYoHwrFA6mHu9T-Kg/s1600/CIMG9237.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1036" data-original-width="1600" height="207" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_u3DPB9-vRy8YnGA1FbJm7EnyG9B7ysaOavnUx31u9u1pKIT9DluVPBLzzwwe_W0oJQpMixe24zjBIkRbMxsOv-Gch5qTmlfrzgQ_Eh1m56MqbN05KYQKNHcdoPyYoHwrFA6mHu9T-Kg/s320/CIMG9237.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Sustainable
Agriculture<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">My recent history is that of being a
farmer, but I am firm in my belief that even for a small country life Sri Lanka,
we can and MUST release 1 Million hectares of land back into forest for
sustainability of food production, climate risk, and the equilibrium of man and
nature.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">While it sounds incredible for one in Agriculture
to say that the only means by which we can increase our Food Production output
in Sri Lanka is to put back this massive amount of land, (much of which is
cleared forest lands used presently in non-sustainable and marginal agriculture)
this is the only means of increasing productivity of the remaining land.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">One does not have to reinvent the wheel.
There are enough examples throughout the world to know what is required to feed
our nation. Just see the massive productivity of the Netherlands one of the
world’s largest exporters of food products and flowers to see what is possible.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">This last two months in Sri Lanka,
showed that a little of bit of excess rain, can play havoc in previously planted
vegetable crops to devastate them and increase the price of vegetables in the
market to unheard of levels. If modern techniques were used, this now almost
inevitable annual flooding can be managed by using new technology. Green house production
is an obvious solution, as yield per sq meter is about 4 to 5 times that of
other means, and more crops per annum as well as minimal degradation of soil
can be achieved.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">While we are wonderful at preaching the effects
of wildlife on the volume of crops lost, we have yet to counter it with
practical measures that work, which then will result in a substantial increase
in output from the land and therefore productivity. Most of the energy of the
state is taken to assist those living on marginal land that has been
distributed to landless, when they should never have been given land to
cultivate in the first place their knowledge or desire to farm is lacking and
calling them farmers gives this time honored profession a bad name.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">It is these 500,000+ families who must
be moved out, forcibly if necessary to correct past errors of the state in
giving them land to which they are simply not suited to farm, at a high
infrastructure cost of providing roads, power, irrigation. Bogus reports are
thrown out saying that the way of the future is small scale agriculture instead
of large farms, however Sri Lanka does not qualify in that statement simply because
we don’t have large scale food production, and most of the small scale farmers
have no inclination to farm, in the first place.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">We must instead assist real farmers quintuple
their output using their knowhow.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />Ratmale,Minneriya,Sri Lankahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17252632858481217930noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7167149547535484177.post-57259155624415025962020-01-12T00:41:00.003+05:302020-01-12T00:41:51.233+05:30I was thinking we are using technological advances to destroy and not recreate the wonder of life and living<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga-IweYwZWeTUiWza3icCMiEag25LvXNRShTUZgehPsaKLy7U22eA85JNOLs3u6q2iGyLePhndd7FkzZrJI6EczM2paHobzjf9wYRyhdEDWFxO8-DXFK2KXw2r06yizwQM57152wt1V6M/s1600/DSC_2854.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="845" data-original-width="1600" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga-IweYwZWeTUiWza3icCMiEag25LvXNRShTUZgehPsaKLy7U22eA85JNOLs3u6q2iGyLePhndd7FkzZrJI6EczM2paHobzjf9wYRyhdEDWFxO8-DXFK2KXw2r06yizwQM57152wt1V6M/s320/DSC_2854.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">What comes to mind with this statement
which I just posted on FB along with two pictures of birds, I have not posted
before and I don’t know the names thereof, and will have wait till I get the
bird book from Yves from which to name it?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The first thing that comes to mind
today, of course was the use of (mistaken I agree and that is the whole point)
a Russian built SAM missile to take down the plane with innocent and brilliant
people of Iranian origin.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Is God cursing the Iranian people for
their deliberate bellicose action, of funding terrorism outside of their
country in the name of religion, to spread their form of Shia Islam to all
corners of the earth, when they are NOT doing the basics in feeding their own
population, that forces these brilliant minds to seek greener pastures for
their knowledge, expertise and contribution to this world?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">In the same breadth is the US just as
guilty of the same crime, where in order to ensure raw material security, and
they will do anything, even destabilize a whole region to keep them mired in
conflict to achieve a very nebulous outcome and are now facing a showdown of
failure of past policies in achieving this so called desired outcome?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">I am putting this paper in Kalpanakanna
blog because it is the same message that is being given to our petty minded Sri
Lankans who are so quick to criticize others like the Australians for wanting
to cull 10,000 head of feral camels who are a real nuisance to all, instead of
questioning their own morals, ethics and consideration for their fellow man
within the island.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">We have suddenly lost meaning of what is
right and wrong and until we step back and realize that we will never go wrong,
and can die in peace, if we act according to our conscience in doing what is
right for our fellow man, no matter we don’t know that man, but by our actions
alone is making life easier for some other human being on earth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">We need to critically think of our place
in this society as we are here for a minuscule time on earth, and cannot take a
dime with us when we go, so we need to use that time and effort to make the
world a better place for our family, friends, neighbors and so we can rest in
peace, knowing we did what we could within the capability and intelligence and
work ethic that God gave us. We frankly don’t have to show our practice of
religion. It is simply by the way we behave and act that we live our religion or
out belief system. Religion is and has been the Opium used by the unethical to
further their ends of greed and power.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />Ratmale,Minneriya,Sri Lankahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17252632858481217930noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7167149547535484177.post-60480403438507352322020-01-09T20:28:00.001+05:302020-01-09T20:30:19.706+05:30Informal Tourism Accommodation - requires Accountability and Regulation Urgently<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJJezcD2ontYKToAaOBfDEwALSRCyv47O3kAYli6ZGSY3F1038XkpE3xpSjWo-R5XUJ_U5IrlzoLCzd0g3fHDDqrxDcjzduUiN-3WfPLUEO8kTuCN8LIQ2yFoCYuHQYZwTkdeoz2VoNH0/s1600/CIMG0034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="676" data-original-width="1024" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJJezcD2ontYKToAaOBfDEwALSRCyv47O3kAYli6ZGSY3F1038XkpE3xpSjWo-R5XUJ_U5IrlzoLCzd0g3fHDDqrxDcjzduUiN-3WfPLUEO8kTuCN8LIQ2yFoCYuHQYZwTkdeoz2VoNH0/s320/CIMG0034.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://www.sltda.lk/monthly-tourist-arrivals-reports-2019">http://www.sltda.lk/monthly-tourist-arrivals-reports-2019</a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The
Sri Lanka Tourism Brand – Longer Term Enhancement</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Aspects covered here. The informal
tourism sector of lodging that provide at least 60% of room nights of foreign
citizen tourists visiting Sri Lanka.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">This will NOT cover Sri Lankan origin
foreign nationals who are more likely to have researched their stays, and
either stay with friends and family for part of their vacation and for the
other part engage mainly formal tourist establishments, and Boutique Hotels,
which may not be registered with Sri Lanka Tourism. Often they travel with
locals and friends, and demand resident rates to maximize their tourism spend.
This is a growing area with more and more expatriate arrivals and a significant
contributor to the economy, but which grows organically with or without a
marketing campaign by the various Government Bodies like SLTDA.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The
Independent Traveler Planning a stay from a few nights to a few weeks<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Here, we home in on the Independent
Traveler, who we wish to attract as a first time visitor to the Island, who
wishes to organize his or her itinerary, mostly by themselves, using the
Internet and various booking sites.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Initially they need a good website to
decide how and where to go, and there is NO comprehensive website that is of
any use to this visitor, who is left to either buy a Travel Guide and follow
some of the suggestions there, or just decide on a location and begin by
booking accommodation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Websites such as Booking.com and Air
B&B are popular sites used by these travelers, some of whom just book one
or two nights initially, and prefer to book future stays once they arrive and
survey the scene, but still use the same medium to book the further stays. In
my experience of Paradise Farm bookings, often bookings are made the day before
arrival by a tourist already in the Island, when there is space availability.
Advance pre bookings lately are only around 25% of room nights.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">It is likely that the well healed
Tourist will book locations in advance in high end resorts, and that does not
matter if they are formal or informal as they would not even know if it is
registered with the SLTDA, as that would be irrelevant to them, if the location
is one that either has been recommended or has a high rating on sites such as
Trip Advisor, where prior guest rankings and experiences are used in making the
decision to reserve a room.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Let’s divide the strategy into a two
pronged one to register, high and low end.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Registration
of Unregistered Lodgings with the SLTDA<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">I presume the use of the world Informal
Sector is because those lodging establishments are not registered. They fall
into the whole spectrum of lodging at every pricing level.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">In order to offer to good Tourism
Product for visitors to Sri Lanka, it is important that all providers of
lodging for tourists to Sri Lanka, who have little or no prior knowledge of the
Country, are regulated, so as to ensure that minimum standards are adhered to,
and not only that, in order to assist Tourists in making up their mind on
reservation, have some kind of criteria with which to judge the lodging, that
they could trust. There is no question that presently the Trip Advisor rankings
are used as the best source of independent verification.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The
Question one must ask first is whether we need to register them in the first
place and why? <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Of course the first answer is that we
(SLTDA) needs to know how many beds are available in the Island for tourists,
at each level, in order to determine what mix and how to spend the marketing
dollars here in order to attract the mix to fill these rooms across the spectrum.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">So we agree that the regulating body
that promotes Tourism must know how many rooms are available, so they can work
on the supply side to fill gaps in numbers, locations and quality of rooms.
Currently they have NO CLUE!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Reason
for non-Registration is Regulation and Fees<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">A struggling tourism sector does not
want to pay a turnover based fee to the SLTDA, as many are barely making ends
meet. Those who are paying fees by being registered are resentful that the
informal sector gets away with loopholes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">How can this dilemma be solved. Simply
put the playing field HAS TO BE level for all, and all turnover based fees MUST
BE IMMEDIATELY REMOVED.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The fee must be simply an annual fee
based on Star Class or Type of Establishment and number of beds offered, a
double bed treated as 2 (5ft wide or more) This is in order to obtain
registration only, and category of hotel or stars over 2 stars for which a
certificate is required, another flat fee for the granting of a certificate to
take account of the need of that establishment to get an official grading and
the administration work required to annually inspect and award. All other
establishments are registered and not rated, as they may possess individual
characteristics that they may have that attract the visitor.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Annual
bed charge for registration could be a system as follows<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Homestay Accommodation @ Rs1000 per bed
per annum, divided by two to be paid in two equal instalments 1<sup>st</sup>
January and 1<sup>st</sup> July. It may sound too low, but this is the very
establishment that is in need of the MOST REGULATION, and constant evaluation
and un-announced site visits, as well as the training required for the owners,
usually the Head of Household.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Small Hotels Rs4,000 per head up to 2
stars also payable in two instalments <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">3 Star @ 5,000, 4 Star @ 6,000 and 5
Star and above including Boutique Hotels charging in excess of US$100+ per
night at Rs8,000.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">My understanding is that there are
presently 100,000 head in these establishments on the island. Simply put
100,000 people can be put up a night at a maximum in Sri Lanka and if they are
all regulated, the income from this charge would be Rs250M p/annum. This should
be sufficient just to regulate and staffing to inspect and advise on the actual
maintenance of the standards, certification, training and assistance where
needed. The informal sector will receive a disproportionate level of service as
they are more in need to be regulated, due to their 100% lack of regulation at
present.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The informal sector MUST feel that their
being regulated is not one that will result in them being taxed in future, but
is one they will definitely be able to use as a marketing tool in attracting
visitors and one which the minimal cost of registration will be more than
outweighed by the benefits of a regulation certificate they can display
prominently in the establishment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Why
am I concentrating on this unregulated sector registration as being of utmost
importance?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Today’s and the future’s tourist product
is all experiential. That is, the visitor is looking for a unique experience in
their holiday, something that they can remember the holiday by and perhaps have
fond memories and photographs to share with friends back home, which we obviously
hope will lead to their friends being attracted to do the same. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The object of a good Tourism Brand is
for visitors who have experienced it to recommend to their friends and family
and for them to be repeat visitors. This then reduces the need for exponential
increases in advertising and promotion, and the future growth can be
concentrated on improving product, so a higher per diem charge can be obtained.
Many in the business want to jump the hurdle and say we should only concentrate
on the high end.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">While at first sight I may agree to
that, in the Sri Lankan context we have some structural changes that are needed
before we get there, as we first need to educate the various service providers
on what it is that the tourist is looking for, in order to be able to increase
the yield per day per visitor. We have not got there yet, and in fact we are
doing our utmost to denigrate the experience with some of the actions of the
players and stakeholders, and we must try and plug those most shameless
exploitative practices that are common.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The
Key to Homestay Tourism Concentration (an example)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">In my opinion, the dollars spent by the
tourist reaches the rural masses faster than any other sector in the Tourism
Industry. In my experience and travels around the Island, I have seen some
extremely beautiful sights, where for example if only a rural subsistence
farmer had the wherewithal or the foresight to invest in a detached room,
bathroom and a decent sized verandah all in one building, they could house a
tourist couple for a longer stay in villages, the rural village experience in
Sri Lanka is attractive to youth visitors under 30 who are more able to rough
out in three wheelers and buses, but who need a quiet SAFE SECURE PLACE TO
STAY.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Farmers who live hand to mouth could
depending on the quality of accommodation they can provide, be able to get out
of poverty and dependence on farming income if this sector is expanded and
encouraged. The foreign investment component of construction and food is
minimal and so most of the dollars spent, not only stays in the rural areas,
but are also locally sourced, with minimal import. The Savvy traveler books one
night on Booking.com homestay and then stays a week or two if the place is
agreeable if they come not for a lightening trip to see sights but to
experience a part of Sri Lanka outside of the Guide Books. This is the tourist
who refuses to pay the charges to climb Sigiriya, many of whom I have met in my
travels, but wish to experience how the people of Sri Lanka really live.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">What
is the role of the regulator here?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The regulators job is to encourage, show
that one room is better than two as many try to achieve more than is practical
and to provide blue prints on what the minimum standards of cleanliness,
safety, food safety and precautions needed to keep the visitors safe. This is
an area that visitors to areas not frequented by tourists are conscious of and
local Police are unprepared to face consequences of crime against Tourists, a
major deterrent to the success of this the most productive sector Tourism, as
far as the economy is concerned. There is much scope for value addition and for
children to learn about what is special about their own environment to be able
to appreciate and show the visitor the unique features.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Conclusion<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Don’t forget that today, with 60% + room
nights in the informal and therefore unregulated sector, Tourists are on their
own, with no protection. This is a disaster waiting to happen, if this sector
is not regulated as soon as possible.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Due to the blinkered view of the
Industry looking at the unregulated sector, as more of a pain in the rear end,
they have not realized that it could be the last straw that breaks the camel’s
back if a tourist gets raped in a house and this information goes viral. They
don’t care if the excuse is it is unregulated or not, it is the Sri Lanka
Tourism Brand that is at stake here. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The reason that happens is that the
providers of this service, are unaware of the dangers lurking below the surface
of our people who are not used to seeing half clothed tourists walking around.
Some of the tourists too are unaware of the risks they take.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Regulations such the preference for a
detached room to house a visitor instead of a room in the house for example,
will mean that minimum precautions are made clear. Lockable rooms, and
bathrooms being another. Food safety being another.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">We in Sri Lanka cannot “wing it” as it
were. That time has passed. We have to be aware of how the visitor is treated.
Questionnaires could be provided at all establishments with post-paid
envelopes, so letters come direct to the SLTDA as that will immediately alert
the inert in these establishments to the real issues faced by tourists. Currently
no sampling of this nature takes place. Replies can be anonymous or with
detailed information, so those who wish to leave their contact details in their
home countries can be immediately contacted and any negative connotations
immediately neutralized.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">This is the most invaluable tool in
constantly updating the checklist of regulations and best practice to be
abreast of the dangers in real time and make appropriate changes where
necessary.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">No matter what the Industry veterans in
the Regulated and Registered sector think, it is the informal sector that has
the greatest potential for increasing the accommodation in the short term and
increase the multiplier effect of Tourism in the Economy of Sri Lanka, where
this sector is the only one that can increase the foreign exchange contribution
to the economy. I therefore cannot stress enough the urgency and the importance
of the proposals I have made to improve the Tourism Product in Sri Lanka in
order to attract the numbers of tourists to the Island. It is the improvement
of the service standards that will then gradually flow into the high end once
the Brand is established and high spenders come in droves.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />Ratmale,Minneriya,Sri Lankahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17252632858481217930noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7167149547535484177.post-50766499478031940962020-01-07T02:18:00.002+05:302020-01-07T02:18:17.443+05:30New World and Old World – Compare and Contrast<br />
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjitm3xtXSSkbWHWxMOYPvxwJdrNr9G_HVFYDsuhZ_bnsDyT_tYoobt0SFRT5QTCAk-Enu6kryS9iBYfapsL6xJMDTisyMOa37Ik1fgDJEViN0DQ1BclNw-tBmFkVqGq5swqhaDk6n4T_M/s1600/DSC01204.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="448" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjitm3xtXSSkbWHWxMOYPvxwJdrNr9G_HVFYDsuhZ_bnsDyT_tYoobt0SFRT5QTCAk-Enu6kryS9iBYfapsL6xJMDTisyMOa37Ik1fgDJEViN0DQ1BclNw-tBmFkVqGq5swqhaDk6n4T_M/s320/DSC01204.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">This essay attempts to explain some of
the dynamics of cultures in which we live in and is relevant to Sri Lanka,
still steeped in too much emphasis of the past, with little desire for a vision
of a future, which succinctly explains, Singapore’s success when compared to Sri
Lanka’s inertia. The baggage called HISTORY.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The USA vs Iran war of words is a lesson
in international priorities. The USA a country barely 250 years, and that is
due to the original inhabitants directly or indirectly being massacred by the
conquering invaders, who have no score for culture or history, with waves of
recent immigrants, including both parents of Donald Trump, German and Scottish
ancestry, whose view of the world is to live the American Dream, namely to
acquire wealth as a mark of success. Power only came to him by chance when he
skillfully used his wealth to fill a void and need in society for an outsider
to enter the game, no matter what personality type he displayed, or how many
times he was declared a bankrupt and why.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Iran on the other hand with thousands of
years of history and the cradle of civilization, has been unable to curb state sponsored
corruption that has kept the populace enjoying a much lower quality of life,
which has led its more entrepreneurial and professional elites to emigrate, leaving
a country in the hands of Mullahs and Militarists in the still anachronistic
words of the Revolutionary Guards! Despite being a country that has immense oil
wealth, which could have allowed its population to have a significantly higher
standard of living, the leaders have chosen to follow policies of jingoistic
connotations, and anti-Israeli sentiments to pursue a Nuclear Arms Race, that
has resulted in sanctions and lack of ability to benefit from their resources. All
they needed was to stop their Nuclear ambitions and the sanctions would have
been lifted. It is likely, they would now have a GNP twice or three times what
it actually does. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">This pursuit was due to sheer arrogance,
pursuing policies in the Middle East aimed at dominating their neighbors and
spending the little money they have in war games and militias to exert this
control and giving almost cart blanch to a killing machine in the form of Suleimani
to pursue his own foreign policy!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The curse for the rest of us was that we
had never heard of this man until his demise, and question why. Was it a
deliberate attempt of the West to deny him notoriety by suppressing his name
knowing full well he was behind the deaths of countless number of people? I
would love to know the answer to that.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">It is clear then that countries mired in
the baggage called history, that created policies that are detrimental to the
improvement in the quality of life of the people, and not tolerating dissent,
has created a closed society not open to growth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />Ratmale,Minneriya,Sri Lankahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17252632858481217930noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7167149547535484177.post-32310712661716152019-12-19T00:36:00.002+05:302019-12-19T00:36:45.987+05:30The arrest of Champika – all part of the master plan to rid the country of winnable opposition leaders! Here is a clear winning strategy out of it<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNuyQf9UOFMt_MDU0YP_sXL8mtddPVGhsyneu3b_-9xzTnyZIkcz4Mw4ORhLmfLrIoDWLj6ifQf5I_IEHNs1v8a9vLPM6094GzYXCMJAeq7rETWoII3UPPZBxnlW118QhtKLRW0SWjmUg/s1600/White+horse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="406" data-original-width="612" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNuyQf9UOFMt_MDU0YP_sXL8mtddPVGhsyneu3b_-9xzTnyZIkcz4Mw4ORhLmfLrIoDWLj6ifQf5I_IEHNs1v8a9vLPM6094GzYXCMJAeq7rETWoII3UPPZBxnlW118QhtKLRW0SWjmUg/s320/White+horse.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;"><b>THE KNIGHT IN SHINING ARMOR WHO COMES ON THE WHITE HORSE</b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">It is no secret that the Rajapakse
(there are no other words to describe the present rule) Government was “coca
hoop” when the candidature of Sajith Premadasa was announced to pit against
Gotabaya Rakapakse, as the result immediately became a foregone conclusion, on
the day of the announcement itself.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">It is therefore mischievous for some of
the sore losers to blame the defeat on Ranil Wickremesinghe, who neither helped
nor hindered, and worse, the announcement that SP would drop RW if he won, lost
him<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>even more votes, among the die-hard
RW fans, than he might have. I predicted at the time upon announcement that he
would lose by 1M votes, but the rest is due to his own narcissist personality
disorder, that was painfully obvious and cringe worthy at the campaign
trail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Needless to say Sajith Premadasa should
have simply resigned, and left the country for an extended sabbatical, just to
save his own mental state, that must have got a shock, from which he has
obviously not yet recovered, and unlikely to do so in time to revive the UNP to
face the General Elections in May of 2020.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Suffice to say, he has done the
opposite, sulked, was absent for too long, and is now seen arriving at
constituencies of his ardent supporting MPs to meet and greet, too late and
frankly, not in a fit state to infuse the faithful with the needed morale boost
at this time. The sooner he is ditched and forgotten, as one who lost too badly
to find any solace in an improbably comeback, the better, for the fortunes of
the UNP at the impending General Elections.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">So what next? Well, the only challenger
to SP was Patalie Champika Ranawaka, an engineering graduate I believe from Moratuwa
University, by training, and much admired by not just the intellectuals, but
also by the Buddhist Clergy, as he has emerged as a rising star coming from the
Hela Urumaya, which he ditched to hang his hat with the UNP.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The easiest way to promote him is to
arrest him on trumped up charges, which is exactly what the Rajapakses just
did. They know a stint in jail, albeit even one night is sufficient to increase
his brand among the party faithful, and if one looks at social media within
minutes of his arrest, there was simply no doubt about that.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">He is probably grinning to himself at
the midnight grace of luck that was bestowed a few hours ago. So if SP falls
flat on his own sword, it is Ranawake’s to wrest and raise the flag. The Rajapakses
want him as the opposition front man leading the election, as he is considered
to be beatable as there is a large dossier of dirt on him, primarily relating
to his private life of the past, and this will no doubt be brought up at the
appropriate time to destroy any chance he has of taking up the baton from SP. He
is not a squeaky clean politician as most people think he is, and it is clear
that those with skeletons are whom the Rajapakses want to have as the opposition
candidates to challenge him. They can destroy them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">I just hope the UNP don’t fall for this
oldest trick in the book, played by so many players that history buffs like Ranil
Wickremesinghe only know too well. He is watching this tragicomedy unfold, and
thinking to himself, what now! what next!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">As we all know, RW would have preferred
to have the OLD Karu Jayasuriya contest the Presidential Election, as the
margin of defeat would not have been as great as it was. However the young
turks of the party like Marikkar, Wickremeratne, Ajith Perera, Harin Fernando, Ajith
Mannapperuma, Harshana Rajakaruna and Harsha de Silva would not hear of it!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Now the Rajapakses completely emboldened
by the massive victory are, as history has also shown, are making mistake after
mistake, due to that tragic flaw called over confidence and swollen brain
syndrome!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">There is sufficient grounds to show even
the die-hard Rajapakse fan, that the mis steps are mindboggling, considering the
General Election is only a few months away and instead of trying to consolidate
power to ensure a two thirds majority in parliament, are on the verge of giving
the game away if the opposition is able to run a campaign of honesty and keep
on message/point, to what the people need.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">It is no secret that the Die Hards voted
in the Rajapakses due to the fear of the country being sold out to Tamils and Muslims,
the traditional fear of Sinhala Buddhists egged on by a reactionary Clergy, who
want to safeguard their privileged position, increasingly under threat by a
globalized electorate of educated youth who know that religion does not matter,
and only opportunity to leverage their ability and knowledge to better
themselves is all that matters in life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">While this motivated many to vote for
them, it has not taken a month to blow this canard asunder, when the price of
basic commodities have skyrocketed within weeks after the election. The
immediately implemented tax cuts have not helped the pockets of the electorate,
as few if any products have had price reductions, with many businesses keeping
the benefits to themselves, due to crony capitalist monopolies they run. This
means that the shift is going to be a reduction of government revenue, but an
increase in the crony capitalist share of that reduction, with perhaps less
than half being passed down to the public at large. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Come May, in time for the election, if
there was a proper campaign by the opposition to show that the people have been
lied to, the UNP have a chance of leading a coalition back into power, under a GR
Presidency, however unlikely that may seem right now. It is perfectly do able
if there is a winning strategy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The fact that the Opposition is so
divided, and not under the able management of a good leader, is the only factor
preventing them from winning this election. The rate of Rajapakse missteps is
increasing daily, and the next step is likely to be the Parliament not being
recalled, till after the elections in May. If that happens it will be simply
dictatorial rule by the Head of State. This is going to affect the existing
cabal of supporters increasingly feeling isolated and without any control or
influence in being able to help their constituents who voted for them. Already
steps (quite rightly so) have been put in place to have capable people run
organizations and fill vacancies, shutting them off to party supporters who may
have hoped for some crumbs to fall their way.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">All in all, the time is ripe to be a
member of the opposition and, to FIND a good, honest leader to back, one who
does not have delusions of Grandeur like Premadasa or Ranawake, and can take
the Country, NOT THE PARTY forward. Being a party animal has always been why Sri
Lanka is a failed state, and GR has tried to extricate himself from that Moniker,
but cannot do so due to the way the brothers play their game. It is the moment
for the UNP to find a national leader.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">One with charisma, selfless leadership,
speaking on point and not by character assassination, who can win the premiership,
and this person can be someone no one knows just yet, but can be the catalyst for
change the country really needs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">I know more than anyone RW is looking
for that person, who ideally would be young, but could also be a woman, who can
inspire confidence in anyone they come across, by presence even before he or
she opens his mouth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">So please don’t fall for the Rajapakse
trap, of putting either SP or CR into the fray, but instead put someone who can
challenge the status quo and triumph as the new kid on the block, much in the
same way that GR won the Presidency not being tainted by politics. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Don’t we ever learn? The one lesson we
should have taken from the GR victory is that public don’t care for career
politicians, and instead want someone who they can believe in to carry out
promises. GR has already proved to carry out half of his promises and the other
half have been mere figments meant to fool.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">I know the stars are lining for an even
bigger revolution in SL politics in May 2020, but no one has been able to see
through the chaff to be clear on this likelihood. The only missing piece of the
chess board is the most important one, namely the KNIGHT IN SHINING ARMOR who
comes on the white horse!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />Ratmale,Minneriya,Sri Lankahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17252632858481217930noreply@blogger.com11