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Srilanka’s Prime Minister Rajapaksa Calls India A Relation While Other Countries “Friends”

By Jai Kumar Verma

The friendly neighbourhood hand shake

New Delhi. 16 February 2020. The Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa told to an Indian newspaper during an interview that other countries are “friends” of Sri Lanka while India is a “relation”. The 74-year old Rajapaksa who is the senior most member of parliament is a fervent devotee of Lord Venkateswara. He also visited Kashi Vishwanath temple in Varanasi, Sarnath, Maha Bodhi temple in Bodh Gaya and Tirupati during his current visit. 

Sri Lanka is India’s closest maritime neighbour and is just 30 nautical miles away from the territorial boundary. India has deep historical and cultural ties with this island nation. Despite areas of co-operation between India and Sri Lanka there are some issues between the two nations and Sri Lanka’s growing closeness to China one of them. And in this scenario , the statement by Rajapaksa seems to be a pleasant surprise.

It was his first visit to India after being appointed as Prime Minister by his younger brother President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in November 2019. He arrived in India on 7February on a four-day visit. During his sojourn in India he met President, Prime Minister, foreign minister and other dignitaries. President Gotabaya Rajapaksa also made his first official overseas visit to India after taking over as President of Sri Lanka. 

The Prime Minister, Narendra Modi and the Prime Minister of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, Mahinda Rajapaksa at the delegation level talks

The visiting Prime Minister met Prime Minister Modi on 8 February and thanked him for India’s “neighbourhood first” policy and giving precedence to Sri Lanka in the foreign policy. Both the prime ministers discussed several issues including security and economy. He thanked India for extending $ 400 million line of credit to strengthen the island’s economy and $50 million for combating terrorism. He requested to extend more assistance as well as construct more houses. India has so far built 48,000 houses under Indian Housing Project in warn-torn areas for internally displaced persons. Besides these houses India is also constructing several thousand houses for Tamils of Indian origin.

Both the Prime Ministers also discussed the problems faced by Tamil community in Sri Lanka and Modi expressed his confidence that Sri Lankan government must be treating Tamils with full impartiality, righteousness and justice. They also discussed the prevailing condition in Indian Ocean Region and to improve defence and trade relations between both the countries. Rajapaksa after meeting Modi stated that “We had agreed that our cooperation is multifaceted, and priority is given to a number of areas including security, economy, culture and social sectors. Part of our discussions centered on cooperation with regard to the security of the two countries. India has always assisted Sri Lanka to enhance our capacity, capabilities in intelligence and counter-terrorism. We look forward to getting continued support in this regard,”.

Prime Minister Modi’s office also issued a detailed note after the meeting with the visiting dignitary. The note besides several points mentioned that “terrorism is a major danger in our region. We both countries have fought this problem firmly. There were painful and barbaric terrorist attacks on “Easter Day” in Sri Lanka in April last year. These attacks were not only a blow to Sri Lanka, but also to humanity. And so, in our conversation today, we discussed furthering our cooperation against terrorism. I am happy that Sri Lankan police officers have started participating in anti-terrorism courses in India’s premier training institutes.” 

Rajapaksa also thanked Modi for visiting Sri Lanka after Easter Sunday terrorist attack on 21 April 2019. The Islamic terrorists attacked three churches and three luxury hotels in Colombo. There were also few explosions in Dematagoda and Dehiwala. In these terrorist attacks, two hundred fifty-nine persons including 45 foreigners were killed. More than 500 persons were injured. All the seven suicide bombers were Sri Lankan nationals and were associated with National Thowheeth Jama’ath an Islamic terrorist outfit. The terrorists targeted Churches so that hatred between Muslims and Christians enhance which may culminate in the riots between both the communities. They also targeted luxurious hotels in which several foreigners were killed so that tourism suffers in the country. Tourism is important for the economy of Sri Lanka.

Prime Minister Modi’s concern about Tamils in Sri Lanka is significant as Rajapaksa concluded the 26-year-old civil war between Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and Sri Lankan government in 2009 when he was the president of the island nation. Sri Lankan forces killed Velupillai Prabhakaran who was the chief of LTTE. There were several human right abuses by security forces against minority Tamils in Jaffna area.

Rajapaksa also told that there will be more intelligence sharing with India and the technical assistance between both the countries would be enhanced. He also thanked India for providing prior information about the Easter Sunday terrorist attack and it is unfortunate that the previous government had not acted on this vital intelligence.  

He also stated that the earlier project between Sri Lanka, India and Maldives pertaining to trilateral cooperation on terror and security would also be renewed. There can be the next meeting of the three nations in Maldives.

PM Narendra Modi also added that Sri Lankan police officers have started participating in anti-terrorism courses in India’s premier training institutes and the nation is also committed to further strengthening the contacts and cooperation between the agencies of the two countries.

The island nation has to repay domestic and foreign debt of approximately $60 billion, hence the visiting prime minister requested India to give a moratorium on loan repayments for three years. After getting suspension of loan from India Sri Lankan government would request other countries also. This year Sri Lanka has to pay $5 billion as the repayment of the loan. In reply of a question, he also mentioned that Sri Lankan government will try to get back the control of Hambantota port from China, but it may be difficult as the control of the port is already handed over to the Chinese.

Old friendship with Pakistan still going strong: India worried

The Sri Lankan Prime Minister also clarified that Sri Lanka has cordial relations with all the nations including China and Pakistan. However, India should be careful as Pakistan Air Force Chief Air Marshal Mujahid Anwar Khan visited Sri Lanka before the visit of Rajapaksa to India. It appears that Pakistan wants to revitalise its relations with Sri Lanka after both Rajapaksa brothers became president and prime minister. Pakistan supplied lot of arms and ammunition to Sri Lankan forces when they were eliminating LTTE in 2009. Pakistan air chief met Rajapaksa and offered assistance for Sri Lankan Air Force. Both the countries have Chinese arms and ammunition hence it is easy to render assistance. President Gotabaya Rajapaksa also attended an officers training course in Pakistan as a young army officer in 1970. Sri Lanka also permitted refuelling facilities to Pakistan in 1971 and permitted landing of Pakistani civilian and military aircraft at Katunayake international airport.

India should supply arms and ammunition to Sri Lanka as for as feasible. As India has changed its policy and wants to enhance its export of defence equipment it will be a good opportunity. The possibility that Pakistan Air Force Chief visited Colombo on behest of China cannot be ruled out. Beijing considers Delhi as its potential opponent hence it tries to encircle India.

A friendship which is matter of concern to India

China which has already emerged as a big exporter of arms and ammunition is supplying different types of defence equipment to Sri Lanka since 2007 when US stopped supply because of human right violations. At present China is assisting Sri Lanka in modernising its defence forces. China exports several types of missiles and bombs including anti-tank guided missiles, deep penetration bombs, tanks, and naval equipment. Sri Lankan defence personnel are also getting training in China. Besides defence cooperation there is also cooperation on several other fields. Chinese firms have taken contracts of many infrastructure projects and large number of Chinese tourists visit Sri Lanka. Hence India has to plan a long-term strategy to win over Sri Lanka which will be a difficult task.  

(Jai Kumar Verma is a Delhi-based strategic analyst and a retired senior intelligence officer. He is also member of United Services Institute of India and Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses. The views in the article are solely the author’s. He can be contacted at editor.adu@gmail.com)

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South Asia must guard against spread of Islamic State

After removal from Iraq and Syria, IS wants to establish itself in South Asia and is trying to build bases in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh, the Maldives, India and Sri Lanka, writes J K Verma for South Asia Monitor

By J K Verma MAY 18, 2019

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Christian-led mobs in Chilaw town in Sri Lanka attacked mosques and vandalised dozens of shops owned by Muslims on May 12 and 13, 2019. The rioters torched vehicles owned by Muslims during the holy month of Ramzan. The trouble started when Abdul Hameed Mohamed Hasmar, a local shopkeeper, put a Facebook post critical of the Sri Lankan government decision to ban face veils as a security measure after the Easter Sunday bombings. The Facebook post said, “Don’t laugh more, 1-day u will cry.”

Chilaw is a Christian majority town where the Facebook post was seen as a threat. The Christians were angry and suspicious because Muslim terrorist outfits National Thowheeth Jamaath (NTJ) and Jammiyathul Millathu Ibrahim were behind the attacks on three churches and three hotels in Sri Lanka on April 21. NTJ targeted churches when Christians were celebrating Easter and killed more than 250 persons and injured 500 others.

NTJ, an Islamic terrorist organisation, receives financial assistance from Muslim countries which are spreading Wahhabism in Sri Lanka. The All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama (ACJU), an important Sri Lankan organisation of Islamic scholars, said that suspicion of Muslims has increased manifold after the  Easter bombings. ACJU advised Muslims to be more careful and not involve themselves in “unnecessary postings on social media”.

Sri Lanka has placed a temporary ban on social media which has become an important source for spread of rumours and disinformation. The security forces have been given wide powers of arrest and detention of suspected miscreants under emergency regulations since the Easter bombings.

The anti-Muslim riots broke out as Catholic churches resumed Sunday prayers in churches where they had been suspended since April 21. Rioters killed a 45-year-old Muslim. A countrywide curfew was imposed from 9pm to 5am to prevent any upsurge of communal violence. These communal riots have been between two minority communities, the Christians and Muslims. Christians form about 7.6 percent while Muslims are 10 percent of the island nation’s population.

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, in a televised address to the nation, appealed for calm and warned of stringent action against miscreants and rioters.

Muslims allege that security forces are not taking stern action against rioters. There is also deep suspicion between Buddhists and Muslims, hence the security forces should take adequate precautions to ensure that the majority community does not get involved in the riots.

Islamic State took the responsibility for the Easter terror attacks. The Amaq news agency of IS claimed that the attack was in retaliation to the ‘Crusader Coalition’ which destroyed IS in Iraq and Syria. After removal from Iraq and Syria, IS wants to establish itself in South Asia and is trying to build bases in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh, the Maldives, India and Sri Lanka.

More than 30 Sri Lankan nationals from wealthy families went to Syria to join IS. The security forces must be careful about the return of these hardened terrorists as they would expand the IS base and carry out terrorist activities within the country.

Indian intelligence agencies provided actionable intelligence prior to the April 21 terrorist attack, but no worthwhile action was taken because of infighting between the President and Prime Minister of Sri Lanka. Colombo must galvanize intelligence organisations so that they provide actionable intelligence. A large number of madrassas, mosques and seminaries have cropped up in the island nation with the help of foreign money. Government should take stringent actions against madrassas or religious seminaries involved in spreading extremism. 

Sri Lankan security forces should also be careful as Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) may also be behind the Easter attacks, as their basic aim is to damage India and establish Islamic rule in neighbouring countries. ISI may try to establish bases in Sri Lanka to harm India. Indian authorities should also try to ascertain the linkage between NTJ and Tamil Nadu Thowheed Jamaat (TNTJ).

Islamic State is operating in several countries and a few countries and so-called NGOs are assisting it. Hence it is essential for intelligence organisations of different countries to cooperate and exchange their intelligence so that requisite action can be taken.

Indian security agencies should also formulate a detailed plan so that IS or ISI do not succeed in carrying out terrorist activities in India. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) should arrest Indians who have gone to Iraq and Syria to fight with IS; NIA should also keep watch on activities of support agents of IS and ISI. Indian security agencies should try to curb the mushrooming of illegal religious places and should take stringent action against those who are spreading extremism in the country.  

(The author is a New Delhi-based strategic analyst and member of USI and IDSA. He can be contacted at jai_pushpa@hotmail.com)

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Home » Spotlight » Sri Lanka blasts handiwork of Islamic State

Sri Lanka Blasts Handiwork Of Islamic State

·        India should be careful

By JK Verma

New Delhi. 01 May 2019. Sri Lanka, which was peaceful from last ten years, suffered one of the deadliest terrorist attacks on April 21 which was Easter Sunday. The Islamic State (IS) took the responsibility of serial bomb blasts in churches and hotels in which more than 300 persons were killed and about 500 were injured. IS the terror outfit declared on April 23 that it took the revenge from the “Crusader Coalition” which vanquished the caliphate in Iraq and Syria. Most of the killed persons were Sri Lankans but about 40 foreigners including American, Australian, British, Chinese, Danish, Dutch and Indians were also lost lives. The Amaq news agency of IS showed video of suicide bombers who were swearing allegiance to Abu Bakr al Baghdadi the supreme commander of IS. The attack is significant as it will be the first terrorist attack after the self-styled caliphate was crumbled in Baghuz town of Syria about a month back.

When the last bastion of IS had fallen in Syria the coalition generals made it clear that although IS lost all territories, but it is not finished, and it has links and followers all over the world particularly in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Libya, the Sinai, Philippines etc. They also made it clear that nationals of several countries who were fighting from the side of IS would be returning back to their homelands. These returnees are hardcore Islamic terrorists and will spread the IS ideology. In 2016 more than 32 Sri Lankan nationals who were from well educated and wealthy families had gone to Syria and joined IS. Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe accepted that few Sri Lankans must have returned from Syria. The Easter Sunday bombing indicates the involvement of battle-hardened terrorists as a little-known terrorist outfit had planned simultaneous attacks on three churches and three hotels with precision and also used high-grade explosives. 

Sri Lankan security officials mentioned that two Islamic terrorist organisations namelyNational Thowheeth Jamaath and Jammiyathul Millathu Ibrahim were responsible for Easter Sunday suicide bombings. It was mentioned that the April 21 attacks were the revenge of the attack on two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand in which about 50 persons were killed.

The local Sri Lankan Islamic radical organisations which were banned by Sri Lankan administration had links with international extremist Islamic outfits. The radical international Islamic outfits are enhancing their influence in several countries of Asia especially Maldives, Philippine, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka & India. Pakistan is already radicalised fully and involved in carrying out terrorist activities in several countries especially in India and Afghanistan. At present Asia has become the hotbed of Islamic terrorism as large population of Muslims reside in this area and several terrorist outfits have safe sanctuaries. Countries like Pakistan have not only created few terrorist outfits but continuously assist them. The Sunni terrorist organisations of Wahhabi faith get assistance from few middle east countries while Shia outfits were helped by Shia dominant countries. 

The Easter Sunday bomb blasts were chalked out methodically, targeting Churches which may cause communal riots as Christian population in Sri Lanka is about seven percent while Muslim population is about ten percent. Secondly blasts in hotels were with ulterior motive of harming the flourishing tourist industry of the country. Tourists of several countries were killed in the bomb blasts and it will convey a negative message to the prospective tourists.

Indian intelligence agencies gave prior information to Maithripala Sirisena, President of Sri Lanka about the terrorist attack and also identified that Zahran Hashmi with his terrorist outfit is planning attacks on catholic churches and the Indian High Commission. As there was stringent security at Indian High Commission the terrorists selected hotels for the attack. However, Sri Lankan Government had not taken the requisite action due to the infighting between President and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Security experts mention that Sri Lankan authorities were quite lax and took no worthwhile action, although 100 kilograms of military-grade explosives, detonators, arms and ammunition were recovered from Wanathawilluwa in Sri Lanka sometime back. The place where recovery was made considered to be the training ground of Islamic terrorists who were planning to blast Buddhist temples and other religious places. Several Islamic centres have mushroomed in Sri Lanka and these centres in the name of spreading Islamic teachings are producing Islamic terrorists.

Nonetheless after Easter bombings Sri Lankan government had taken few stern measures, about 10000 security personnel were deputed to raid various hideouts of Islamic terrorists, announced emergency, dusk-to-dawn curfew was imposed, schools and colleges were closed for about a week and internet services were discontinued. In one search-out Rilwan Hashim, Zainee Hashim and their father along with twelve more were killed when terrorists opened fire against the security forces. The security forces have arrested more than 100 persons who had links with the banned terrorist organisations. Sri Lankan authorities suspect that there may be more suicide bombers in the country.  

Indian security agencies are rightly concerned about increasing Islamic extremism in the region especially in the friendly countries including Bangladesh, Maldives, Afghanistan and Sri Lanka. The Indian terrorists can get assistance from the Islamic terrorists based in these countries. The ominous ISI can instigate and provide assistance to Jihadists organisations of other countries to carryout terrorist activities in India. ISI sponsored Lashker-e-Toiba (L-e-T) can also plan and carryout terrorist attacks in India.

Tamil Nadu Thowheed Jamaat (TNTJ) which operates legally in several countries including India, United States, Australia and United Kingdom has also a branch in Sri Lanka. The outfit is involved in social causes and also preaches the principals of Islam.

Indian security agencies have to be careful as the Easter bombings were the handiwork of National Thowheeth Jamaath (NTJ). The authorities should investigate whether there is a link between NTJ and Tamil Nadu Thowheed Jamath (TNTJ). It is also reported that the TNFJ is receiving financial assistance from Wahhabi countries of Middle East.

In 2016, the ISI sponsored terrorists attacked a café in Bangladesh and slaughtered 20 persons mostly foreigners. Security forces killed six terrorist while one was arrested.  All the attackers were educated and were from well-to- do families. Islamic State took the responsibility of this heinous killings. Same way NTJ has links with ISI and its protégé L-e-T and the terrorists were not only educated but from wealthy families. The Sri Lankan authorities have arrested nine Pakistan nationals in connection of Easter Sunday bomb blasts. Besides L-e-T a charitable institution Idara Khidmat e Khalq financed by L-e-T is also involved in radicalising Sri Lankan Muslims. Sometimes back a Pakistani diplomat based in Colombo was conspiring terrorist attack on US and Israeli diplomatic mission in New Delhi. 

Although Sri Lanka failed to act on Indian actionable intelligence, but government took stringent measures after the dastardly attack. Indian security forces should also be prepared to adopt stringent measures in case of terrorist attacks without caring about the resistance from human right activists. NTJ leader Zaharan Hashim was inspired by Zakir Naik an Indian preacher who took shelter abroad. Indian security forces should monitor the activities of TNTJ.

The international terrorist organisations are financing and training the local terrorist outfits and the local persons are carrying out terrorist activities. Hence it is essential for the security agencies of different countries to co-ordinate and share the actionable-intelligence. It is good that Sri Lankan authorities are helped by the security forces of US. The Sri Lankan authorities have asked Pakistan to render assistance in investigation. It will be good because few Pakistanis are also apprehended by Sri Lankan authorities. However, the investigating authorities must be careful as Pakistan’s ISI has dubious distinction of assisting diverse terrorist outfits.

It is also encouraging that Indian authorities have alerted Indian Coast Guard to be careful and enhance the vigilance on maritime borders. Terrorists from Sri Lanka may escape to India through sea-route to avoid arrest. Terrorists can use sea-routes for smuggling of terrorists, weapons and explosives.

Indian security agencies are monitoring the whereabouts of more than 50 Indians who had gone to Syria and now hiding in Afghanistan. These Indian absconders are trying to recruit disenchanted Muslim youths through social media and internet. Hence security agencies should be careful so that they do not succeed in enrolling new members as the new members would be utilised in carrying out terrorist activities.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) had arrested more than 100 Islamic State sympathisers and about 25 cases are also registered against cases related to Islamic State. 

Indian security agencies should try to stop the spread of Wahhabism and Salafism as they are extreme form of Islam. India should stop the mushrooming of Madrassas which teach and preach extremism. It is essential that scientific education and work oriented courses are included in the syllabus of Madrassas so the students when they pass out from these religious institutions, they do not remain unemployed. The danger from Islamic State is real hence Indian security forces should chalk out a detailed plan to handle the menace of Islamic State.

(Jai Kumar Verma is a Delhi-based strategic analyst and member of United Services Institute of India and Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses. The views in the article are solely the author’s. He can be contacted at editor.adu@gmail.com)All Pics Courtesy : Mathrubhoomi & Sri Lankan Government

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 News » Srilankan political crisis keeps the world guessing

Srilankan Political Crisis Keeps The World Guessing

Mahinda Rajapaksa being sworn in as Prime Minister of Sri Lanka : Courtesy : Al Jazeera

·         Overthrowing of Ranil Wickremesinghe is the victory of Chinese intelligence

By J K Verma. 02 November 2018. On October 26, President Maithripala  Sirisena, on behest of the powerful Chinese intelligence agency, Ministry of State Security (MSS) had overthrown the lawfully elected Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe of Sri Lanka.

President Sirisena created chaos in the country by deposing Wickremesinghe and allowed Mahinda Rajapaksa to swear as prime minister. Colombo is passing through a grave economic crisis and now it will also engulf in political turmoil. Hence its dependence on China will enhance manifold. China is one of the few countries who congratulated Rajapaksa to become the prime minister.

Sirisena issued two gazette notices. In the first gazette he removed Wickremesinghe and through another gazette notification appointed Rajapaksa as the new prime minister. He also sacked Saman Ekanayake the secretary of Prime Minister Wickremesinghe.

Rajapaksa who is close to China, remained the President of Sri Lanka, from November 2005 to January 2015. During his regime, Rajapaksa helped China and gave several important infrastructural projects to Chinese companies and ignored India. The Sri Lankan watchers claim that now China will get more projects and under the garb of assisting Colombo the debt of Beijing would increase which will be detrimental for Sri Lanka.

President Maithripala Sirisena : The King Maker: www.vocfm.co.za

The popularity of Sirisena was diminishing very fast hence he wanted to regain the support through Chinese favourite Rajapaksa. The analysts’ mention that Sirisena won presidential election with the help of Wickremesinghe and now strengthening him with the assistance of his arch rival Rajapaksa.

Sirisena was able to defeat Rajapaksa in presidential election of 2015 because of the assistance rendered by Ranil Wickremesinghe but the relations between president and prime minister became tense earlier than expected. Recently in a cabinet meeting both president and prime minister fought on leasing of a container terminal, as Wickremesinghe wanted it to lease to India while Sirisena opposed the move. President also claimed that Sri Lankan government lost $65 million because of Wickremesinghe’s supported sale of central bank bonds. Besides it both president and prime minister had different economic policy.

Sirisena also planned to impeach Wickremesinghe, not only this he went back on the pledge not to contest re-election. Wickremesinghe has also plans to contest presidential election in near future; hence he had not liked the withdrawal of Sirisena from his earlier commitment. Sirisena also criticised Wickremesinghe government.

Deposed PrimeMinister of Srilanka Ranil Wickremesinghe : Courtesy : Al Jazeera

Sirisena was aware that the deposed Prime Minister has still majority support in the Parliament, hence he suspended the parliament until 16 November, so that Rajapaksa and his party get ample time to win law-makers in their favour. The suspension of parliament has also barred supporters of Wickremesinghe to pass a no-confidence motion against the new prime minister. In the meantime Rauff Hakeem an important leader of Sri Lanka Muslim Congress and Mano Ganeshan, Palani Digambaram and Rishath Bathiyutheen of minority Tamil and Muslim parties issued statements that they and their parties support Wickremesinghe and his sacking by president Sirisena is illegitimate and unconstitutional.

Rajapaksa under his rule eliminated the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and killed large number of Tamils including LTTE President Velpillai Prabhakaran. The human right organisations condemned Rajapaksa’s tenure as there was widespread oppression of opponents, extrajudicial killings including several cases of forced disappearances and blatant repression of freedom of speech.

Minister of Finance and Mass Media Mangala Samaraweera termed it as “ an anti democratic coup” while Wickremesinghe mentioned that the move of  Sirisena is unconstitutional and claimed that he continue to be the  prime minister of the country. Sirisena may go for a snap poll and as Rajapaksa purged LTTE, he is admired by majority Sinhala Buddhists and may win the elections. The U.S. department of State has also advised Sri Lankan president to reconvene the parliament.

Sri Lanka’s newly appointed Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa gestures during a ceremony to assume duties at the prime minister’s office in Colombo on October 29, 2018. Courtesy : AFP

The MSS pressed Rajapaksa and Sirisena to create political instability in the country, although it was passing through a deep economic crisis. The foreign exchange reserves of the country have dwindled and the Sri Lankan rupees is in distress, tourism which is the mainstay of the country will suffer because of political muddle. The confidence of foreign investors would also shake because of political uncertainty and it will provide more avenues to Chinese companies which will exploit the situation. If Colombo fails to control the economic situation, it will be difficult for the country to refinance the foreign debt which is due in early 2019.

In view of economic crisis Colombo has very few options and as Rajapaksa is close to China, he will further move towards Beijing, which will enhance its investments but certainly on stringent terms. Colombo has to accept Chinese investments on irrational stipulations and when it will fail to repay the loan China will occupy the strategic assets of the country including Hambantota port. Although Rajapaksa is pro-Chinese and will render undue favours to Beijing but in near future he will not work against the interests of India and Japan as they are also the important players in the country.

President Sirisena also alleged that there is a danger to his life and a cabinet minister is behind the plot to assassinate him. However the supporters of Wickremesinghe mentioned that Sirisena is doing it to gain the public sympathy and there is no truth in the allegation. The followers of Wickremesinghe protested against the allegation as well as about his sacking. Sirisena further alleged that because of the involvement of cabinet minister, security agencies have not investigated the case properly. They also mention that the public had voted for Wickremesinghe and Sirisena acted against the will of the masses.

Speaker Karu Jayasuriya also criticised the move of Sirisena and mentioned that parliament should be convened urgently and let the members of Parliament decide about the prime minister. There are several corruption cases against Rajapaksa and his family. Besides corruption cases there are also charges pertaining to the murders of journalists during his rule. The masses of Sri Lanka voted to The United National Party and Wickremesinghe as they promised to investigate the mayhem committed against Tamils during the regime of Rajapaksa. The supporters of both Rajapaksa and Wickremesinghe are gathered in Colombo which may create a grave law and order situation.

Xi Jinping Meets with President Maithripala Sirisena of Sri Lanka (File Picture) Courtesy : www.fmprc.gov.cn

The analysts claim that the Chinese Intelligence agency recently lost Maldives to India when the tin-pot dictator Abdullah Yameen abdul Gayoom lost Presidential elections to Ibrahim Mohamed Solih in September 2018. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs welcomed the victory of Solih and termed it as the victory of “democratic forces”. Yameen was acting as a dictator and an agent of China. He was harming Indian interests and was radicalising the archipelago nation which consists of 1190 tiny islands across the Indian Ocean. Several Muslim countries including Saudi Arabia was assisting Maldives, which enhanced Islamic extremism in the country up to the extent that large number of Maldivian youths went to Iraq and Syria and joined the Islamic State. China has already constructed a Joint Observation Station in Makunudhoo, where submarines can be lodged. China can keep watch on important sea routes and on South China Sea from this Observation Post. The newly elected president has already promised to review all the contracts awarded by the previous government. India expects that the newly elected president will do justice with Indian interests. The analysts claim that it will be difficult for the new government to mitigate the influence of China as it is involved in most of the major projects and Maldives has to repay more than $ 90 million dollars every year to Beijing.

Narendra Modi meeting Maithripala Sirisena (File Picture) Courtesy : www.pib.nic.in

The Ministry of State Security (MSS) has a powerful spy network and is responsible for counter-intelligence, political security and foreign intelligence. The MSS main tasks include internal security, collection of intelligence pertaining to Taiwan, USA, Japan and India. However as the global ambition of China is increasing rapidly the MSS is also involved in overthrowing the unfavourable regimes and also inculcate resources so that in hour of need the governments of the strategically important countries can be turned in the favour of China. The intelligence sources claim that as Wickremesinghe was favouring India hence MSS instigated Rajapaksa to align with Sirisena to oust Wickremesinghe.

The experts mention that China uprooted Wickremesinghe unconstitutionally while Yameen lost presidential elections legally and it is the difference between the functioning of a democratic government and a communist regime.

Jai Kumar Verma is a Delhi-based strategic analyst and a retired senior intelligence officer. He is also member of United Services Institute of India and Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses. The views in the article are solely the author’s. He can be contacted at editor.adu@gmail.com