How do leaders abandon their conscience?

21 July 2015 06:30 pm - 1 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

This is the final part of an article written by former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga titled ‘HONESTY IS A WAY OF LIFE’ expressing her views on recent events related to country’s politics and economy.

Towards the end of my presidency, a large number of ‘Big Projects’ were envisioned, as a final legacy of my presidency. One of the most famous (or perhaps infamous) was the Norochcholai Power project. The project was envisioned by my government, and I persuaded the government of China to give us credit on very easy terms. I signed this projects at a cost of US$ 280 Million, with a credit line of 1.2% above LIBOR. The Tender was awarded to a well recommended Chinese company with excellent technical and financial credentials and experience in the relevant field of work, and the project had a grand future. Upon the rise of the current government, I was informed by an important person involved in the Project that a VIP in the Rajapaksa Government had demanded a 50% commission. When this was refused by the Chinese Company, it was asked to “get out” Cx by the VIP. The government cancelled the award, re-negotiated the Tender and signed it for a cost of US$ 510 million (almost double the previous cost) with a credit line at over 6%. I was shocked at the irrationality of this remarkable increase in the cost of the project. The installations are reported to have caught fire six times and has had innumerable breakdowns. We can only surmise as to the fate of the extra monies paid for the project!

It is clear that someone pocketed $ 140 million (50% of the original cost), amounting to Rs. 15 billion. All this was, of course, added to the bill paid by the Sri Lanka Government

The Hambantota Port
This was to be only a bunkering Port and studies showed that cargo shipping would not be profitable for more than one major port in Sri Lanka.

The Cultural Centre
We envisioned a very different concept and a different architectural design. It was to be a living, dynamic Peoples Cultural Centre, (with open-air, walk-in theatres, in addition to the Main Hall). An illustrative example of how the present government is trying to erase my government from memory, no matter how petty the manner, is that the foundation stone I laid at this building has been removed. A new foundation stone, with someone else claiming credit for this project, has replaced it.

The Colombo / Katunayake Expressway
First awarded to a Korean company in 1999 for US$ 230 Million and about half of the work completed by end of 2001. The tender was cancelled by the UNP government in 2002 and work stopped until my Government re-awarded the tender to a Chinese company, once again at a reasonably low cost and very low interest rate, in 2005. This award too was cancelled and re-awarded by the present government at a much higher cost and interest rate. Rajapaksa claimed credit for this project also.

The Southern Expressway
Designed, funding found, and about 50% of the work completed by my government by end 2005. Once again, the original foundation stone has been removed with the same person claiming fatherhood.

The Colombo South Port
This project was also commenced by my government. Tenders were called by my Government, while the award of tender was done by the Rajapaksa Government. Tenders were awarded thrice and cancelled three times. Some Tenderers have seized the Courts on the basis that irregularities have occurred in awarding of Tenders.

I find it most amusing that the MR government mainly comprised of my party, which I brought into power after 17 long years out of power, strengthened the Party such that it remained in power for 20 years and implemented many successful development programs claimed credit for development work done by my Government.

When Senior officials close to the top, such as the Secretary to the Treasury, indulged in the most comic practice of making speeches about development undertaken by the Sri Lankan governments since Independence in 1948 to date, they took great care to blackout the period of the CBK government from 1994-2005.

I have felt depressed and saddened that people I helped bring to power should behave in this jealous and vicious manner. But, I draw strength and inspiration from the fact that most of the people of this nation have not forgotten what I and my Government achieved for them. Strangers often used to stop me on the road or at various events expressing appreciation of various achievements of my Government and thanking me for it. They all invariably conclude by saying that it was so much better then, and of course make the invariable request that I come back to politics.

On the whole I get a deep sense of pride when public servants often express their appreciation by stating that it was my government that accorded the biggest salary increases and created conditions where the public service could function independently and with dignity, with minimal political interference. Creating conditions where public servants could act justly without fear of political backlash is vital to my vision of good governance.

No chapter on corruption and good governance would be complete without some sort of explanation of how I managed to find the large sums of money to finance my children’s education abroad without ever taking a bribe or commission. My opponents have spun several stories about this process, and even my friends and supporters have wondered what they should believe. I have kept quiet on this issue, but I think I owe a duty to myself and my family to lay out the details in order to silence the critics.

After completing the A Level Exam, Yaso gained entrance to Corpus Christi College in Cambridge University to read Medicine in 1998 and Vimukthi to Bristol University to read Veterinary Science. For the first 3 years of tuition fees amounted to £11,000 plus about another £2500 for accommodation separately per annum. At this time my salary as President amounted to Rs. 25,000/-. My personal income from the estate and rental from my house at Rosmead Place amounted to another Rs. 300,000/-. I had no other income and no parents nor husband who could fund me. I had began to make calculations and found that I could just manage if I did not spend above my basic requirements. The UK £ was around Rs. 85/-at the time. My daughter asked me if I could manage to cover expenses, I said don’t worry, we will do it somehow. I had a feeling deep down that we will be able to manage. Of course I had the confidence that at a push I could sell a bit of land from Horogolla which was worth quite a lot. Yasodhara without telling me had logged into the Internet and discovered that a Trust called the Commonwealth Cambridge Trust awarded scholarships to deserving students of Commonwealth countries. She applied for this and was informed that she would be given the maximum amount of £6000 per year for 3 years. This was a huge boon for us. I only needed to find around £7000 per year and this was well within my possibilities.

I inquired and found that the Chairman of the Commonwealth Trust was the then Secretary General of the Commonwealth Secretariat, Chief Emeka Anyaoku who was a friend. I called him from Colombo to London to thank him and added that I felt embarrassed to accept the maximum grant and that it would be sufficient if Yasodhara received half of that and rest of the money can go for a scholarship to another more deserving student. Chief Anyaoku’s words still ring in my ears. “Madame President, please accept this, the world needs to encourage leaders like you who have shown rare qualities of honesty and integrity.” I was deeply touched. He still remains a friend long after we both retired. Thus I was able to manage to fund Yasodhara’s education at Cambridge for 2 years until Vimukthi gained entrance to Princeston University to read Vet. Science. His tuition fees were £9000 and an additional £2000 for living expenses. He too completed and obtained a Scholarship for £2000.

I now began to feel the pinch financially.
At the end of Vimukthi’s first year at university and Yasodhara’s 3rd year, I sold the 2nd property for their education – our house at Polhengoda and invested this money in Fixed Deposits.

I sold my first block of land for the children’s education which was a land inherited from Wijaya. I obtained Rs.4.5 million for this which I promptly invested in Fixed Deposits. With these investments and my monthly income, I was able to fund the children’s education abroad from 1998 to 2005.

I started looking for Consultancies in the Private Sector like many retired Heads of State & Government who obtain such posts in other countries. However, Sri Lankan companies as well as foreign companies dealing with Sri Lanka were reluctant to take me on because they were fully aware of the hatred shown to me by President Mahinda Rajapaksa. Thus I started the journey of selling valuable assets. Up to now and in 8 years of retirement, I have sold 6 properties including my only house in Colombo. I have also spent time in developing my estate and looking after a Petrol shed I own. I now have sufficient income to live comfortably and do what I wish to without counting my pennies.

I continue to be shocked and horrified when I hear of corruption in Government. I cannot conceive how leaders manage to abandon their conscience.

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

Comments - 1

Sunil Wednesday, 22 July 2015 04:08 PM

Good that you have disclosed your wealth now and explained how you managed to educate your children. You forgot to mention about the enormous asserts your parents had, and what cause, your mother as PM, to handed over all extra asserts to the government. Younger generation should learn about our old politicians and their history.

Add comment
Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

How do leaders abandon their conscience?

This is the final part of an article written by former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga titled ‘HONESTY IS A WAY OF LIFE’ expressing her views on recent events related to country’s politics and economy.

Comments - 1

Add comment

RECOMMENDED

UDA owned land in Thalawathugoda; UDA Minister Prasanna Ranatunga under the spotlight for forceful occupation of reserved land

Loss-making SMIB faces political pressure in recovering loans

Baltimore Bridge Collapse: MV Dali, SL authorities anchored in mystery?

Has Sri Lanka become a potential hub for the illegal wildlife trade?

Spotlight on Moragahakanda Development Project Moragolla villagers lose livelihoods and down to one meal a day

Ambitious Sri Lankan jobseekers ‘trafficked into Ukraine war zones’

Western purple-faced langurs see blue!

Most Viewed in News

23 year old youth ends up having his testicles removed

Confusion remains if April 15 is a bank holiday

Sri Lanka’s Rupee leads emerging markets in 1st quarter of 2024

Corporal from Air Force Rugby pool killed in police shootout

Belgian traveller scammed in Kalutara

Suspicious death of 23-year-old woman at hotel sparks concerns

MIRROR CRICKET

TODAY'S HEADLINES