BUILDING A BRIDGE – WILL IT ACCRUE BENEFIT, RISK OR THREAT TO THE SOVEREIGNTY OF SRI LANKA
By Kanthar Balanathan, Australia
DipEE(UK), GradCert(RelEng-Monash), DipBus&Admin(Finance-Massey), MIEE, CEng, MIEAust (Ret), CPEng(Ret)
Retired Director & Power Systems Specialist Engineer,
Sri Lanka, the republican soil is owned by the people (citizens) of SriLanka. The country does not belong to the politicians or the Ministers or the President. The executive and politicians (MPs) are elected by the people, and hence the portfolios to be managed or administered are chosen by the parliament and/or approved by the Executive. The republican constitution must be followed and the sections that govern for each of the functions should be complied with by all. Deviation or bypassing out of ignorance or intent should be considered a violation of democratic principles, pointing towards a dictatorial or autocratic performance. The people should not be taken for a ride, by giving dubious reasons. The people of the country are in a frightening state conjecturing punitive action by the state, if opposed, which is absolutely clear of the events that happen in a third world country.
Building a bridge between Talai Mannar and Danushkodi
An excerpt from Daily Mirror: “RAMESWARAM: The Centre has taken a policy decision for building a bridge linking Talai Mannar in Sri Lanka with Danushkodi, Union Minister Kalraj Mishra today said. – See more at: www.dailymirror.lk”
The statement further states: “On Coir industries, he said the Centre has decided to develop coir based industries in five states– Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Karnataka and Kerala. – See more at: www.dailymirror.lk”.
On Samsung involvement it further states: The MSME-Samsung Technical Schools will run Samsung’s Advanced Repair and Industrial Skills Enhancement (A.R.I.S.E.2) programme, The government was determined to make products in India and was working hard on skill development among the youths and engineers. -See more at: www.dailymirror.lk.
This article does not mislead information or written with intent of complaining actions by governments, however, unravel truths on economic benefits to our own soil, SriLanka.
Coir Industry
The Union Minister states that India wants to develop coir industries in Andra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Karnataka and Kerala. What has that got to do with building a bridge? SriLanka, should be aware that coir industries are the speciality in the South. Sri Lanka should encourage people to invest in coir industries on a large scale for export. SL should provide the training, and formulate programs of technical courses in coir industry. Why is this necessary? Please refer: www.tis-gdv.de. Coir management is science on its own. Coir could be made use of, for variety of products for human use.
India wants to smuggle out the speciality on coir industry. We have the basic resources for coir industry. Is India planning to siphon basic coir elements such as coconut husk, fibre raw materials, and other raw materials from SriLanka by road on a large scale? Sri Lanka, please wake up and try to educate, train, and make Sri Lankans specialists in each of the area, such as Tea, Rubber, Coir etc. Is SriLanka exporting coir products?
Communication
The MSME-Samsung Technical Schools will run Samsung’s Advanced Repair and Industrial Skills Enhancement (A.R.I.S.E.2) programme. Sri Lanka should be aware that there are hundreds and hundreds of thousands of SriLankan specialists and experts are working on foreign soil as experts on IT, Communication, Software developers, Water management, and several other specialists’ areas. Is Sri Lanka aware of these specialists on foreign soil? They are in US, Canada, UK, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, Norway, Denmark etc.
Just to give an example: On speaking to a Power Systems Dynamics specialist SriLankan Professor, who has a PhD, and known to be the best in South East Asia; he stated that Sri Lanka does not welcome people like him. Another PhD who has another speciality, left for Canada. They are assets of SriLanka. Why have they left SL? The Universities in SriLanka does not recognise and accept people of high calibre engineering knowledge out of jealousy or with intent.
Why would Samsung come through India to train SriLankan human resources? And do we need a bridge to be constructed to accomplish this task?
One media states that four agreements have been signed by both parties. The 22 kilometre bridge will be completed at a cost of 5 billion dollars. Asian Development Bank will provide the funds. Ministerial agreements have been reached and remaining Secretarial negotiations, so stated the minister.
Opportunity Cost and/or Cost Benefit Analysis
The SriLankan Accountants, engineers and economists should dig deep into various economic and accounting theories and do an analysis on the “Role of Opportunity Cost in Financial Decision Making”.
The analysis should be a qualitative and quantitative study detailing out the costs, benefits (tangible and intangible), plus the risks associated with the project. Quantify the risks associated with the project during and after.
It is of the author’s opinion that the bridge will not accrue any tangible or intangible benefits to the country. The reserve Bank should come out to detail out the benefits.
Sri Lankan people need to know the qualitative and quantitative benefits of this bridge. They have the right to know. Politicians have not been given the green flag to go and do anything and mortgage the country. It is GOSL’s duty of care to publish a report detailing out the benefits, risks, and threat to the sovereignty of the republic.
An example of the west operating pattern: In developed countries, major projects if planned, is placed before the public to study and make comments, either through the City Councils or the MP. Public is allowed to study the proposals, feasibility reports and submit constructive criticism.
It is not sure whether Sri Lanka practice this type of project management. Is the Minister’s decision final? If so, the action cannot be brought under or identified as democratic. GOSL should carry out a feasibility study and apply Leonardo Da Vinci principle in concluding on this project. It is not a question of India wants.
Alternative Investments
- The North of SL has a water problem. The farmers depend on rain for rice and paddy agriculture. Rice is only a seasonal agriculture during the winter season. The rainfall in the North is significant during the months of Oct-December, April to June and also other seasons.
Even for other vegetable consumption, the province depends on Kilinochi, South and the upcountry.
I would like to draw the attention of GOSL to an article by Engineer Thiru Arumugam, Engineer K. Shanmugarajah and Engineer D. L. O. Mendis on “A River for Jaffna”. The following three links provides substantial evidences that a river for Jaffna is not impossible.
- archives.dailynews.lk
- www.island.lk
- archive.riversymposium.com
- www.ft.lk
- www.mangrovesforthefuture.org
Ancient kings have constructed Wavas and Samudra.
Parakramabahu Samudra Ref: en.wikipedia.org
Minneriya Tank: en.wikipedia.org
The Minneriya Tank was built by the great tank builder, King Mahasen (276-303) who ruled in Anuradhapura. This tank occupied 4670 acres and it’s strong 13 meter tall dam running along a distance of 2 km held over 20 billion gallons of water. The water arrived from Mahaveli River, 48 km away, along the Elahara canal built by the King Vasabha (65-109) before his time.
The catchment area covering Thondaimannar and Vallai, and the rain water hence will increase paddy cultivation and other vegetation in the North.
Research has been completed by SriLankan engineers. However, GOSL did not recognise the valuable input by SriLankan engineers, Engineer Thiru Arumugam, Engineer K. Shanmugarajah and Engineer D. L. O. Mendis.
SL is planning to build a bridge at a cost of 5 billion dollars. How much will it cost to build bunds and construct a reservoir in the region of Thondaimannar/Vallai? At approximately 10%-20% of the cost, with local engineers and workers, the benefit is permanent, and risk free. Additional investment on fishing, such as boat docking platforms at various places, and loans to people to purchase small boats would be added advantage.
Build the reservoir in the North and spend the balance on investment in industries in the South. This will alleviate people’s suffering on unemployment and cost of living in the island.
An old statement: it is better to teach someone to catch fish rather supplying fish.
What is the motive behind the 5 billion dollar contract? Is there a company in SL to build this bridge? Some corporate body in the west is eager to get a 5 billion dollar contract, to build a bridge in sea, and subsequent kickbacks to politicians and corporate Officials. Can anyone deny this statement? There has been news on Reserve Bank’s Bond scam and now the 1.75 billion tender scam at SLT. Do we have a scam team now in SL?
There are adverse and significant amount of risks prevail if a bridge is constructed.
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