Gajalakshmi Paramasivam

07 July  2020

Voting in Lanka – for India or China?

As we become more and more global, a manifestation would have global values to us. Coronavirus has unequivocally confirmed this global dynamics. As we get more and more reports about Victoria’s lockdown, my mind keeps confirming the connection to the agreement signed by Victoria with China in relation to the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

Laws & Due Processes help us maintain the Balance of Justice and therefore the Sovereignty of Earth itself. As per the Victorian government about BRI:

[The agreement provides further detail on:

• a coordination and engagement mechanism between Victoria and China]

Victoria is a State and China is a Country. The two are not of equal status. Hence one is entitled to conclude that the equation of Sovereignty has been disturbed in Victoria. I am concerned because two of our children live in Victoria and the suburb of one is in the high risk area. I believe that by recognising the above connection as per my belief, about the BRI – I am praying Goddess Victoria. It removes the anxiety caused at the human level.

The investigation that the Australian government demanded in terms of China are largely at human level. The independent citizen without portfolio will identify with the true reason.

In his Sri Lanka Guardian article ‘China’s Indian Ocean Dilemma’ author Balasubramanian C presents the following picture about China’s Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) Navy:

[The PLA Navy (PLAN) to reach the IO has to sail down south and choose one of the three straits of the maritime ecosystems viz the Malacca Strait (MS), Sunda Strait (SS) and the Lombok Strait (LS) of which the shortest route is the Malacca Straits (MS) past Singapore which is a major shipping channel. However, the disadvantage for China lies in its presence being detected by all maritime intelligence units of the neighbouring countries. Also, the average depth of MS is around 25 mtrs deep posing a disadvantage for larger ships to sail through. To avert this ‘Malacca Dilemma’, using the SS, PLAN can use its Aircraft Carriers to reach the IO after substantial journey which is as shallow as the MS. Still, in both the straits the PLAN submarines will have to sail on the surface upon which it loses its coveted ‘stealth’ cover.

Perhaps, the PLAN to use the Lombok Strait (LS) has to pass a long journey covering double the distance. Of much significance and less visible one is the ‘Strait of Ombai’, situated further to the east of LS and closer to Australia. Recently, Prime Ministers of India and Australia in their first virtual bilateral summit stepped up bilateral relations to a ‘Comprehensive Strategic Partnership’ and concluded nine agreements including the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) and the Mutual Logistics Support Agreement (MLSA). Such military logistics sharing pact would lead to more joint exercises; training missions including allowing militaries of the two countries to use each other's bases for repair and replenishment of supplies besides facilitating scaling up of overall defence cooperation. India has already signed similar agreements with the US, France and Singapore.]

The Australian Government confirms the above as follows:

[Maritime Cooperation for an Open and Inclusive Indo-Pacific

…9. Both countries share a view that many of the future challenges are likely to occur in, and emanate from, the maritime domain. We agreed to boost cooperation in the maritime domain as encapsulated in our Joint Declaration on a Shared Vision for Maritime Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific. Our enhanced arrangements will facilitate deeper engagement between our two countries including maritime domain awareness, and expanded linkages between our maritime agencies.

10. Both India and Australia are committed to work together with partners and relevant regional organisations across the Indo-Pacific, including ASEAN, to enhance capacity for sustainable management of marine resources and challenge in maritime domains. In this regard, Australia expressed support for India’s Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) which will promote better coordination and cooperation among the countries in the region on maritime related issues.

11. Both sides agreed to share technologies and resources to support the health and sustainability of oceans and water resources, including through regional institutions. They also concurred to build on existing commitments to combat marine litter and single-use plastic waste, and target Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing……]

Al Jazeera highlights as follows through its article ‘Project Force: What is behind China's naval ambitions?’:

[China's latest White Paper on its defence spending, published in July 2019, specifically states that the "distinctive feature" of the country's national defence is: "Never seeking hegemony, expansion or spheres of influence." But the difference between achieving hegemony and safeguarding one's interests can be all too slim. 

While the PLA Navy is focused on more overt military threats, China uses its maritime militia and coastguard to impose its will in territories where it is competing with other countries for dominance.

Both are now under direct military control. The coastguard is the biggest in the world and its new ships have been fitted with ramming gear and high- pressure water hoses. ]

As per my knowledge – none of the above has been discussed by Sri Lankan media – despite Hambantota becoming China’s territory for a long time. Hambantota port was named ‘Magampura Mahinda Rajapaksa Port’.

But Magampura is part of the area covered by Kathirgamam Hindu Territory. When Hindus invoke that power they would naturally demote Hambantota and therefore China. Whilst this government is investigating the Easter Sunday attacks – it would protect Sri Lanka for them to identify with the Spiritual influence – as indicated by the Shangrila fire. Nature speaks to nature. It they do they are likely to discover that Hambantota port did not have the blessings of Lankan gods.

The Daily Mirror article reports through its article headed ‘SJB a cat’s paw of communal political parties-PM’:

[The leader of the newly formed Samagi Jana Balawegaya was the UNP presidential candidate in 2019. The manifesto that Sajith Premadasa issued for the presidential election titled in Sinhala ‘Sri Lankawe idirigamanata seemawak netha, ekwa gamana yamu’ had a chapter titled ‘Janathawage Vyawasthawa’ on pages 15-16 which contained the following proposals.  

·       Replacing the word ‘unitary’ with the formulation ‘undivided and indivisible’ in describing the Sri Lankan state

·       Devolving the powers of the central government to the provinces to the maximum extent possible……….]

Which is more dangerous ? Vacating Hambantota to accommodate China or confirming that natural powers have already worked to devolve powers to  North who would naturally pay allegiance to India. How it works at the time of need would be determined by the Indians. The Sinhalese missed the Regional boat and fell into the Chinese gulley.

If Tamils become Equal Opposition in Parliament – Sri Lanka’s sovereignty would be restored and protected. Otherwise Sri Lanka would confirm that it is China’s paw. The warning came through Lankan Navy’s high level of virus infection. Let’s not ignore it.