Sri Lanka fallen into India’s geopolitical strategy: FLSP

By Yohan Perera   

While asserting that it has filed an application to get  information on the agreements signed with India under the Right to  Information Act, the Frontline Socialist Party (FLSP) charged that Sri  Lanka has got involved with India’s geopolitical strategy as a result of  the defence pact which has been signed by the two countries.  

 “Sri Lanka signed a number of agreements with India during  the visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. However, no details  have been revealed on these agreements. These were not presented to the  Cabinet or to Parliament. The date on which these agreements were signed  is a historical day. April 5 was the anniversary of the rebellion launched  by the JVP in 1971. General Secretary of JVP Tilvin Silva who  participated in the commemoration of this rebellion said the visit of the  Indian leader who leads a powerful nation was an honour to Sri Lanka.  This clearly shows where JVP stands today. Also, he has questioned  whether anyone would think the government would betray the nation. This  fact has to be decided by the people. We have received some information  on some of the agreements signed on Saturday. We request the government  to reveal details on these pacts. FLSP has already applied for  information on these pacts under the Right to Information Act,” FLSP  Secretary Education Affairs Jayagoda said.   

He also said, “One agreement signed is to connect the Sri  Lanka power grid with India. India will get the opportunity to control Sri Lanka’s power sector under this pact. Sri Lanka will  have to purchase power from India rather than producing electricity  locally. The government of former President Ranil Wickremesinghe amended the  Electricity Act to provide provisions to team up with India.  

An agreement was signed for a project to provide digital  identity cards for Sri Lankans. This will enable the Indian company  which carries out the project to engage in data theft from Sri Lanka.  Biometrics of Sri Lankans will go into the hands of this company as a  result.   

Also, an agreement has been signed with an Indian  pharmaceutical company to purchase drugs. This company will be able to enjoy a similar status of the National Medical Research Regulatory Authority  (NMRA).   

The most serious agreement which Sri Lanka signed  with India during the visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is  the Defence Pact. Sri Lanka has only signed just one similar agreement  in history. This was the defence pact which Sri Lanka signed with  Britain when gaining Independence in 1948. Britain was given the right  to use Sri Lanka’s sea and airports as per this pact. Sri Lanka had to  do it during that time in order to gain independence. However, the present  government has got Sri Lanka involved in India’s geopolitical strategy.