Political opportunism and Premier Modi’s visit

By the time this editorial is published, Indian Premier Modi will have left our shores. During his visit Premier Modi signed a number of MoUs with our government led by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake; the most important among them being the Defence and Co-operation Pact.

President Dissanayake himself assured Modi that Sri Lanka would not allow its territory to be used in ways that could harm India’s security. 

The memorandum of understanding (MoU) on defence co-operation between our two countries came nearly 38-years after the contentious Indo-Sri Lanka Peace Accord of 29 July 1987 was signed between Lankan President Jayewardene and Indian Premier Rajiv Gandhi. The terms of that agreement were withheld from even the Cabinet of Ministers.

At that time, the then JVP of which our current president was and continues to be part of, ‘misidentified’ India’s intentions as being expansionist and led an armed insurrection against Jayewardene’s regime, which they claimed sold the interests of the country.

Today the main parliamentary party in the opposition, charges, the present MoUs lack transparency, and were signed without informing parliament or even the Cabinet itself. However, no public demonstrations against the MoUs took place. Though the Frontline Socialist Party and a few motley groups threatened to carry out protests in Colombo, they fell in line with a Court Order. No untoward incidents followed. 

Very unlike events which took place in July 1987, when the then JVP leadership took to the streets and led an armed uprising against the ‘Peace Accord’. This time around, the signing of documents went off peacefully. Perhaps the new leaders have learnt from their mistakes. Or could it be, our present rulers are just as cynical and opportunistic as their political predecessors?

For instance our president’s political party -the JVP- also opposed the Sampur Power Project which has been hanging fire since 2005. This project, was among the MoUs signed between our government and India days ago. The project will focus on developing Trincomalee as an energy hub. Another MoU relates to grid inter-connectivity between India and Lanka to facilitate power trade

Our country is facing a growing need for a greater and more reliable power supply to support economic growth and development. We require increased investment in energy and infrastructure upgrades and efficient energy management. Sri Lanka does not have necessary funds to develop this sector. Therefore support from India is a huge benefit.

However, earlier, the JVP claimed the project infringed the human rights of the villagers of Sampur and protested its implementation. Had the project been implemented at the time, perhaps the country would not be facing power cuts and blackouts every time there is an extended spell of dry weather. So what brought about this change of heart? Do the terms of the agreement look into the problems of the affected people in the affected area? Did the JVP really care for the rights of the villagers in Sampur? Or did they merely use the problems of the people of Sampur to further their (JVP’s) political agenda? 

Whatever government’s political agenda, however, premier Modi’s visit has brought Sri Lanka a number of benefits.
While India’s digital know-how may not be as developed as that of China, we can benefit via the MoU, which allows India to share its digital solutions with Lanka, to support our digital transformation.

Premier Modi also brought with him a basket of goodies among which is a package of around 2.4 billion Sri Lankan rupees for the social and economic development in the war-torn northern and eastern provinces. Another MoU offers a $17 million credit-line for roof-top solar units for religious institutions across the country.The Government needs to ensure it treats all religions on an equal footing and not favour a particular religion over others. 

In the end, whatever good intentions our friends and neighbours may have, it will depend on the sincerity of the government in power to ensure these funds are used for the people’s benefit.

We remember China poured funds into our country. It did not stop us going bankrupt.