Ceylon Today Editorial

Premier must safeguard Sri Lanka’s national interests

27 April 2017

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe is currently on a visit to India, having high level negotiations regarding a few pivotal economic matters. According to the Hindu reports, discussions involve signing a MoU to develop Trincomalee port's prospects through operating a major oil-storage facility, LNG plant and piped-gas projects and developing it as a key transit point with major expressways and industrial zones in the region. The reports further stated that discussions will take place regarding the Economic and Technology Cooperation Agreement (ETCA) which has been a suggestion that has generated much criticism in Sri Lanka, not only by politicians, but by also professionals.

According to reports, Premier Wickremesinghe is expected to meet External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari. The visit of the Premier to big brother India comes at a very crucial moment for Sri Lanka when the country is finding it difficult to maintain the balance of power due to the strong Chinese presence in the country. Despite the criticism by Wickremesinghe and the United National Party regarding the strong Chinese presence in the island nation when they were in the Opposition, Wickremesinghe turned to China for economic assistance. More often than not, when the money comes your way you do not ask questions. Similarly, the Government of Sri Lanka did not ask questions when the Chinese investments were rolling into the country. In fact, Sri Lanka was in dire need of Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) and the dreams of the yahapalana government to attract investment from Europe or USA did not turn into reality. That left the government with the option of turning to Mahinda Rajapaksa's friend China.

Now, it appears that the government is allowing the Chinese to invest in Sri Lanka, and particularly letting the Chinese to own strategic locations with great geopolitical and economic significance, through projects such as Colombo Port City and Hambantota Port, has caused some trouble. It also appears that the government has got caught between the devil and the deep blue sea. While the government is depending on China to receive required economic assistance, the country should be mindful about the regional power and the big brother, India. In that context, Wickremesinghe appears to be putting in efforts to balance out India, by allowing India's presence in strategic locations in the country. For the moment, it appears that India is interested in making its presence in Trincomalee and the Cabinet Memorandum regarding signing a MoU with India about the ownership of oil tanks in Trincomalee was approved, although the suggestion was strongly opposed by petroleum unions over the concerns regarding national interest.

Bilateral relations between Sri Lanka and India have been dominated by India, more often than not. Nine out of ten times, Sri Lanka has played the role of a little sister listening to big brother India. The exception to this norm was practised by Sirimavo Bandaranaike and R. Premadasa who dealt with India in a different manner. Premadasa, boycotted the SAARC summit held in India opposing the presence of the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) in the country which subsequently forced India to withdraw the IPKF from the island.

While Premadasa took such stern action, it is also important to understand that the context in which the foreign policy decisions are taken also matters. Wickremesinghe's visit to India comes prior to his visit to Beijing to attend the Belt and Road Summit that Sri Lanka has joined. In that context, India's concerns over the Chinese presence in Sri Lanka, are understandable, looking at it from a perspective of the national interests of India. However, the question is whether Sri Lanka would compromise its own national interests for the sake of safeguarding the national interests of India. It is the duty of the Premier to ensure Sri Lanka's national interests during the negotiations regarding the balance of power.

The task of safeguarding national interests at critical moments like this, is neither simple nor easy. But, that is what they are elected for.