Earlier this evening in Colombo, Reuters hosted a panel discussion with Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal And Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa on Sri Lanka’s post-war economic prospects. Media has often reported that the Rajapaksa’s control over 75% of Sri Lanka’s budget. When asked this in the past, Gotabaya’s demeanour has not been the most diplomatic and collected. This evening however, both he and the Central Bank Governor were in calm control, addressing a number of issues related to economic development.
Perhaps because of inadequate awareness and promotion of the live webcast of the event, Groundviews was the sole voice that posed a number of pointed comments and questions to the panellists. See the all our live updates plus our comments and questions here (as a PDF) or on the website of Reuters (which we do not know for how long will be online). An RSS feed of all the updates and our comments / questions can be accessed here.
It is unclear if they were posed to the panelists by Reuters, who may have preferred to avoid antagonising them with pertinent questions! Readers are invited to reflect on what was said by both panelists.
Our comments and questions follows, and most are in response to statements made by one of the panelists as reported on the Reuters website:
- The recent agitation, involving thousands of fisherfolk in and around the Negombo lagoon vehemently opposed the development of the lagoon for sea-plan tourism, and had the project shut down. Police and Army could not control the crowd. Over 2010 alone, student unrest in Universities increased considerably. A number of trade unions are joining the fray. Any one of these incidents alone can be cast aside or seen as isolated incidents by minority groups. Collectively though, tens of thousands of people have been involved in demonstrations against government (including those who voted it into power), and there is no sign that this trend is abating. How do the panelists see this trend of civil unrest affecting economic stability and investor confidence? (Link)
- Rather than focus on Colombo’s beautification, better to address systemic corruption and nepotism? Or does the centralisation of corruption actually help investor confidence and ROI? (Link, responding to G. Rajapaksa says Colombo city beautification is important to attract foreign investment)
- @ReutersBryson There are very serious concerns over militarisation of urban councils under the MoD, like N/E. See here. Ask the panel for response. (Link, responding to G. Rajapaksa – Slum removal “challenging task” Data says 75,000 families in Colombo #SriLanka slums “Mainly occupying most valuable land”)
- @shiharaneez “As the situation currently stands the option favoured by the Government for those families affected by the new HSZ is that they will be relocated. Relocation is taken to mean the settling of people in a location not of their origin.2 In the Sri Lankan context resettlement and return are terms used interchangeably to mean the return of families to their original homes and properties. There are diverse views among the affected families, but a number of these families have continued to demand their right to return to their homes and communities. In addition to this there are issues arising from the manner in which the civilians displaced by the HSZ have been treated in respect of their fundamental rights, the lack of basic information, transparency and due process. While humanitarian agencies have attempted to ensure that basic humanitarian standards are maintained, it is unclear if they are now more likely to assist in the relocation plans of the Government. In addition, the Trincomalee HSZ also raises concerns as to whether this model of declaring HSZs and SEZs, without taking adequate consideration of local people’s rights and wishes, will be used in the North.” Excerpt from transcurrents.com (Link, responding to “We’ve agreed to release valuable land where army and defence establishments are located and release them on longterm lease” – G. Rajapaksa)
- @shiharaneez What are the yard sticks to determine a ‘real and serious’ investor? May help if it was made public? (Link, responding to “Rules on strict foreign property ownership will remain. But we are also releasing new lands for real and serious investors” – Cabraal)
- In the annual Corruption Perception Index (CPI) just released, Sri Lanka has increased its score marginally by 0.1 from last year to reach 3.2 points and is placed in the 91st position among 178 countries. Last year Sri Lanka was placed at 97 among 180 countries. How do the panellists intend to combat corruption? (Link)
- @ReutersBryson Aren’t ALL protests politically motivated?! We suppose Mr. Cabraal means that protests against budget were motivated by partisan interests. (Link, responding to Cenbank Governor says govt doesn’t foresee much public sector union action except for a handful of “politically motivated” protests)