Development of Oil Storage facility And infra in and around it
Talks for Rajapaksa Airport –
In HAMBANTOTA
Was built by chinese finance as part of obor
India is undergoing negotiatio to buy it arguably to counter Chinese Hambantota Port
Issue – Has been labeled as the World’s Emptiest airport
Colombo Port is crucial for Indian trade
Can handle larger vessels
PROPOSAL
MODERN HANUMAN SETU
Road, Railway and Air connectivity between each other
Strategic
Coastal Radar
China – Colombo port project worth 1.5 billion $ to be scrapped
Political-
BIMSTEC, IORC
Cultural
Ramayana tourist circuit , Bond of Buddhism
Modi invited as Chief guest in the Vesak day celebrations
Nalanda University participation
Scope
SEZ in Trincomalee proposed by Lanka
Also oil tanker farm in the region
India offered IT park setting in Lanka
SAARC satellite
Challenges
LAND of Tamils still occupied by military. Mysterious disappearance of people
Fishing right issue– indian fishermen fishing in srilankan water with hazardous equipment claiming traditional rights over the Palk Bay area.
Banned Bottom Trawling – nets that go up to the sea floor and capture anything In its path without discriminating – Includig corals
Use device like MUKHOTA that warns fishermen when they cross bordersa.
Other measures – like mechanised trawlers that help in deep sea fishing, joint patrolling, demarcating areas, phasing out bottom trawling rather than completely banning it
Dispute over Katchatheevu island
Trade issues- the signed FTA is complained to be heavily in favor of india.\
CEPA
Has been stalled
Pact for TRICOMALEE port still not signed
China factor –
String of Pearls, Chinese submarine, Aid, Infra ,
Hambantota – 70% sale to Chinese Firm
Counter – Treaty says that it can’t be used for millitary purpose
Done initially to ensure that LTTE does not rise again
However, since then the army has taken over all activities in the region
Also, the continued high turnout of Tamils in every elections reaffirm their faith in democracy
In contrast, it is the presence of millitary that is harbouring the walls of dicontent between the 2 sides
Efforts by Sirisena’s govt
Presidential Task Force on Reconciliation headed by the former Prez Chandrika Kumaratunga
Gradual release of land held by the army
Efforts little, need to fasten it to for the best of Sri Lanka, and the Tamils in particular
Green Shoots
Democracy and Federalism
Unity govt in place
TNA has been given the leader of opposition
New constituent assembly
Substantial chunk also to TNA
The new constitution also rekindles the hope of democracy and true federalism
War crimes
Closely wotking with UNHRC
6 years since civil war ended
China
1.5 billion dollars port project in Colombo to be suspended
Similarly most Chinese projects to be re-examined
China won’t be allowed to park nuclear submarine
Fishermen issue has been recognized as a livelihood and humanitarian issues avoiding any rigid stand spurring out of jingoism. Fishermen bodies on both sides have resumed negotiation.
History Tamils and India
Tamils are mostly indentured labourers who were taken by the british in rubber plantations
Problems
started after independence in 1948, when the Citizenship Acts meant a Majority of Tamils became stateless & Sri Lankan govt sought their repatriation to India
Sinhalese – only official language
Quota System that discriminated against the Tamils
Military repression – Vicious cycle
By subsequent agreements India & Sri Lanka acknowledged that Indian Tamils were joint responsibility of India & Sri Lanka
A fixed no of Tamils will be repatriated back
But, soon civil war like situation broke down
Jaffana, the stronghold area of LTTE saw, a blockade being imposed
This led to greater demands by Tamil community for intervention
India was also disturbed by growing Chinese and American presence and seize of the Tamil cities
In 1987, India airlifted relief to Jaffna in 1987 along with Indian and Foreign Journalists
Sri Lanka realised its mistake and the Blockade was lifted
Shortly after India Sri Lanka accord signed in 1987
Deployment of Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF)
13th amendement passedd in the constitution
Political
Colombo agreed to devolution of power to the provinces,
creates Provincial Councils in Sri Lanka for greater autonomy in north.
Merge Northern and Eastern province
Millitary
the Sri Lankan troops were to be withdrawn to their barracks in the north
Did not happen in reality
LTTE were to disarm
Did not happen in reality
Cultural
Sinhala and Tamil as the official language of the country and English as link language.
Problems to Troop deployment
LTTE more familiar – Guerrilla warfare
Indians soldiers Sandewitched
Resented by Tamil community in India
Resented by Sinhalese who did not want foreign troops in the country
Support from Other countries to LTTE
Slowly, the govt in Power in Sri Lanka changed
And the new President called for Withdrawal of Indian troops
the proposed scheme marks a combination of the First Past The Post (FPTP) and PR. Of the total number of 225 seats, it had been decided to earmark 125 seats for FPTP and 100 seats for PR.
Again, 75 seats out of 100 would be filled through members representing electoral districts while the remaining 25 seats would be set apart for the national list.
Sri Lankan political system: Basics-
The government of Sri Lanka is a semi-presidential system determined by the Sri Lankan Constitution.
The President, directly elected for a six-year term, is head of state, head of government, and commander in chief of the armed forces.
The President’s deputy is the prime minister, who leads the ruling party in Parliament.
The President appoints and heads a cabinet of ministers responsible to Parliament
The election occurs under the Sri Lankan form of the contingent vote.
2 tier system
Voters give a preference order of candidates
If any 1 gets the absolute majority of 1st choice, then he is elected the winner
Else, the top 2 go into the next round
Pros
Rule of absolute majority & not the simple majority of FPTP
2 level – gives time
Followed in advanced countries – US, Mayor elections in London,
Elaboration required
Cons
Very Expensive for a country like India
Illiteracy high -difficulty in ranking
Also, can be easily used to mislead
Loophole – Tactical voting
Elaboration required
19th amendment to reduce the presidential power & limiting the terms. Paving way for parliamentary democracy. The immunity of president from judicial review will be removed
