{"id":85351,"date":"2025-01-14T18:18:47","date_gmt":"2025-01-14T22:18:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/?p=85351"},"modified":"2025-01-14T21:45:12","modified_gmt":"2025-01-15T01:45:12","slug":"for-china-sri-lanka-under-president-dissanayakes-leadership-presents-an-opportunity-to-demonstrate-how-its-belt-and-road-initiative-can-evolve-to-meet-contemporary-development-challenges","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/?p=85351","title":{"rendered":"For China, Sri Lanka under President Dissanayake’s leadership presents an opportunity to demonstrate how its Belt and Road Initiative can evolve to meet contemporary development challenges."},"content":{"rendered":"

By<\/p>\n

Krishantha Prasad Cooray<\/strong><\/p>\n

Sri Lanka has witnessed a remarkable political transformation. Anura Kumara Dissanayake has been elected as the country\u2019s President. His party, the People\u2019s Liberation Front (JVP), leads the National People\u2019s Power coalition. Just four years ago, the JVP held only three parliamentary seats with 3% of the popular vote. Today, it controls the presidency and commands a two-thirds parliamentary majority.<\/p>\n

President AKD, as he is commonly known, has achieved something unprecedented in Sri Lankan politics: unified support across traditional demographic divisions. The NPP\u2019s electoral success spans all regions \u2013 North, South, East, and West \u2013 breaking down the ethnic and religious polarities that have long characterised Sri Lankan politics. It is impossible to attribute their popularity to any particular ethnicity, religious community, or class \u2013 they have effectively made such traditional polarities redundant.<\/p>\n

Sri Lanka is experiencing strong political stability that stands out amidst the turbulence touching much of South Asia. The ruling coalition\u2019s organisational discipline, reminiscent of China\u2019s party structure where AKD serves as the Leader of the JVP, has established a predictable environment for international observers and investors. What President AKD and the NPP have demonstrated is remarkable: they have combined the organisational rigor and policy execution capabilities typically associated with China\u2019s Communist Party with robust democratic accountability. <\/p>\n

This synthesis delivers the benefits of strong, coordinated governance while maintaining democratic protections \u2013 avoiding both the corruption risks of autocracies and the policy paralysis that often affects democracies with declining civic participation. <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

A no-nonsense leader<\/strong><\/p>\n

Apart from the election results, AKD\u2019s personality inspires confidence both within Sri Lanka and among international partners. He is a no-nonsense leader who is also sincere and sensitive \u2013 more a listener than a talker. He eschews cheap propaganda stunts and focuses almost exclusively on problem-solving through correcting institutional and processual flaws. Even his detractors acknowledge his fearlessness and political acumen. <\/p>\n

This provides unique assurances that makes for ease of business and healthy bilateral relations. If there were any reservations about AKD\u2019s and the Government\u2019s ability to navigate international relations, they have been firmly put to rest. He has proven adept at diplomatic engagement, combining attention to diplomatic protocols with honest and clear articulation of Sri Lanka\u2019s interests while seeking to strengthen bilateral relations.<\/p>\n

This stability has translated into tangible economic confidence. The Colombo Stock Exchange\u2019s All Share Index has risen by 27% in the past three months, reaching its highest level since 2021. Trading volumes show sustained growth, particularly in sectors targeted for development.<\/p>\n

President AKD\u2019s background, coming from modest circumstances, marks a clear break from Sri Lanka\u2019s traditional political elite. His party\u2019s economic vision draws from successful development models, including China\u2019s Reform and Opening Up experience, emphasising production-oriented growth and poverty reduction.<\/p>\n

Relationship between Sri Lanka and China<\/strong><\/p>\n

The relationship between Sri Lanka and China builds on deep historical foundations. Chinese visitors often remind Sri Lankans that the two nations are \u201clao panyo\u201d \u2013 old friends. Records show over 30 diplomatic missions between the two nations during the 1st-15th centuries AD, with strong ties developed based on common cultural interests, especially Buddhism. Delegations and individuals have braved the Himalayas to visit and learn from one another.<\/p>\n

During Emperor Tiberius Caesar Claudius\u2019s reign (41-54 AD), Lankan diplomats informed Rome of their established trade relations with China. Pliny noted that the Lankan ambassador\u2019s father had made several visits to China as the country\u2019s envoy. Chinese records document their vessels trading gems, spices, and ivory at the flourishing port of Mantota while traveling between China and Rome. The Lankan embassy specifically referenced Chinese traders who regularly called at Mantota on their trade missions between China and Rome.<\/p>\n

This historical partnership evolved into modern economic cooperation through the 1952 Rice-Rubber pact. A five-year agreement was signed under which Ceylon exported 50,000 tons of rubber annually against 270,000 tons of rice from China, making Ceylon China\u2019s largest trading partner outside Comecon. <\/p>\n

Today\u2019s cooperation manifests through successful public-private partnerships like CICT in Colombo Port and HIPG in Hambantota. Port City represents a bold step toward establishing a major financial centre in the Indian Ocean region \u2013 potentially becoming the Hong Kong of South Asia. The Government is expanding these partnerships into industrial zones and public transportation infrastructure.<\/p>\n

Ideal conditions for manufacturing investment<\/strong><\/p>\n

Sri Lanka\u2019s strategic location and strong regional relationships create ideal conditions for manufacturing investment, particularly as a stable base for Chinese manufacturing targeting India and the broader Indian Ocean region. The ongoing Economic and Technology Cooperation Agreement (ETCA) negotiations with India will enhance market access. Cooperation extends to Government digitisation initiatives for efficiency and anti-corruption, as well as climate technology transfer for decarbonisation.<\/p>\n

The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, with China and India as its largest shareholders, provides a strong multilateral framework for engagement. The Government has implemented clear protections for foreign investments and streamlined business processes, with particular welcome extended to Chinese private companies.<\/p>\n

Much has changed over the past two millennia, Sri Lanka continues to learn from China\u2019s rise, particularly in organising and governing an independent modern industrial country. The fact that prosperity, peace, and security go together cannot be lost on the Chinese leadership, who will find AKD to be a leader who knows what he wants for Sri Lanka, and who has the support of the people behind him. <\/p>\n

As both nations pursue these shared goals, their partnership demonstrates how established relationships can evolve to meet contemporary development challenges. <\/p>\n

President AKD\u2019s visit to China<\/strong><\/p>\n

Several factors make President AKD\u2019s present visit to China a uniquely opportune moment for deepening bilateral cooperation. First, Sri Lanka now has a Government that combines organisational discipline with democratic legitimacy \u2013 a model that could prove influential across the Global South. <\/p>\n

Second, the country\u2019s strategic location and stable political environment offer China a reliable partner in a region of increasing economic importance. <\/p>\n

Third, from China\u2019s perspective, successful projects like CICT and HIPG demonstrate the proven track record of Chinese-Sri Lankan cooperation.<\/p>\n

Most significantly, President AKD\u2019s Government brings three critical elements that investors and partners seek: political stability, policy predictability, and proven execution capabilities. The Government\u2019s strong parliamentary majority enables swift decision-making, while its organisational discipline ensures effective implementation. Its commitment to anti-corruption and transparent governance provides confidence to international partners.<\/p>\n

For China, Sri Lanka under AKD\u2019s leadership presents an opportunity to demonstrate how its Belt and Road Initiative can evolve to meet contemporary development challenges. With Port City positioned to become a major financial hub and new industrial zones in development, the partnership offers a showcase for mutually beneficial international cooperation.<\/p>\n

The time is right for both nations to build on their \u201clao panyo\u201d relationship and create a model for 21st-century South-South cooperation. AKD\u2019s visit to China could mark the beginning of a new chapter in this ancient friendship \u2013 one that combines China\u2019s economic capabilities with Sri Lanka\u2019s strategic advantages to advance both nations\u2019 aspirations for prosperity, peace, and security. <\/p>\n

Courtesy:Daily FT<\/em><\/p>\n

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By Krishantha Prasad Cooray Sri Lanka has witnessed a remarkable political transformation. Anura Kumara Dissanayake has been elected as the country\u2019s President. His party, the People\u2019s Liberation Front (JVP), leads the National People\u2019s Power coalition. Just four years ago, the JVP held only three parliamentary seats with 3% of the popular vote. Today, it controls …<\/p>\n

Continue reading ‘For China, Sri Lanka under President Dissanayake’s leadership presents an opportunity to demonstrate how its Belt and Road Initiative can evolve to meet contemporary development challenges.’ »<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[12],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/85351"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=85351"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/85351\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":85353,"href":"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/85351\/revisions\/85353"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=85351"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=85351"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=85351"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}