Stripping the NGOs bare

Recolonisation - Foreign Funded NGOs in Sri Lanka

Author: Dr. Susantha Goonetilake

Sage Publications, New Delhi.

321 pages

REVIEW: Gaston PERERA

NGOs: In a postscript to his Preface in "Recolonisation" the author has recounted the attempts made by certain groups, when the book was in the press, to stop its publication. That is not to be wondered at.

This is no coffee table book. To describe it even as an expose is an understatement and a mild one at that. It is gelignite. It strips and bares Non-Governmental Organizations and their mouthpieces with a ruthlessness that is surgical in its precision and thoroughness. It is altogether a devastating exposure, done mercilessly and methodically.

If for nothing else, this book is essential reading for every Sri Lankan because it is a reminder of the seditious views publicly expressed by NGO persons on the integrity and sovereignty of this country.

Dayan Jayetilleke warned not to "oppose separation" and "the setting up of an independent state" for the Tamils - page 95. Jayadeva Uyangoda believes "It is entirely unprincipled and even chauvinistic to deny the Tamil people a separate state ... - page 96.

The pronouncements on the sovereignty of Sri Lanka and the necessity to bow down to Indian hegemony after the infamous Indian Accord are even more enlightening. Radhika Coomaraswamy and Reggie Siriwardene actually asked the Sri Lankan people "to accept the realities of our geo-political situation" - page 99.

Pakiasothy Saravanamuttu advised Sri Lankans not to be "hysterical in the name of the sacred cow of national sovereignty" - page 101.

Jehan Perera was the tough guy. He wanted "to tell Sri Lankans hard truths about their island, its geography, its multi-ethnic population and its limitations" - page 100.

He was for "shared sovereignty" - page 101.

Godfrey Gunatilleke pronounced "we have had to awaken to the geo-political realities within which we have existed ..." - page 99.

It is a chastening thought that these are citizens of our country who hold such views. It is even more chastening that they still pontificate in the print and visual media.

Thank goodness, one feels, for simple souls like Vijayabahu I. Geo-political realities did not scare him from standing up to Chola hegemony.

Seditious statements

But Dr. Gunatilake's "Reconciliation" is far more than an expose of seditious statements. This book is a pioneering study of the role of NGOs in Sri Lanka.

Dr. Goonetilake begins with a brief account of how they evolved from liberal democratic theory and neo-liberal economics.

Aid donors made democracy and market economies the pre-requisites for development aid. In this dispensation NGOs were more favoured as conduits as being more cost effective, as encouraging good governance and as more accountable.

The main thrust of the book is devoted to a detailed examination of four areas where foreign-funded NGOs played a role in Sri Lanka - in development, international relations academia and human rights.

It is argued that their activities eroded the country's sovereignty, undermined academia and covered up human rights violations, while also it was paralleled by a growing authoritarianism in a state that had hitherto been democratic.

The searchlight is first turned on a development-oriented NGO to uncover its essential spuriousness and pretence. The seminal concept of "building up a disadvantaged community", which the Sarvodaya claimed is how it started, is exposed as a deception.

The real truth was that "D. A. Abeysekera, an idealistic officer in charge of the state's rural development projects" was the prime mover in such activities at Kanatholuwa. The Sarvodaya hijacked it, claimed it as its own and "milked it for propaganda purposes."

Conceived thus in duplicity, its gestation and adult existence continued in the same misrepresentation, falsehood and downright fraud.

This is the organization that boasted of its Gandhian principles of self-reliance but yet solicited funding from abroad and had a whole consortium of European donors who in the early 90s coughed up an annual Rs.220 m.

There are other misrepresentations like the mythical Sarvodaya ideology, the sunshine stories of a Ratnapala and the cover-ups of Jehan Perera in Sarvodaya's own publication.

But the real depths of fraud in Sarvodaya were exposed by the Presidential Commission of Inquiry appointed in 1990. Its findings uncovered to the public gaze the corruption festering in this organization. Some of the findings included -

1. Sarvodaya properties distributed to Ariyaratne's family members.

2. Sarvodaya funds diverted to and retained in private accounts.

3. Gross under-valuation in the disposal of lands.

4. Mis-use of funds and resources.

Ariyaratne persistently refused to answer the Commission's summons until it was suddenly squashed.

Falsehood

Another level of falsehood and misrepresentation in Sarvodaya is of a more comic nature. This is the megalomania of an aspiring sun-god. Ariyaratne is sought to be built up in stature by adulation.

He is hailed as "Leader, you are immortal" in welcoming posters or "born to re-vitalize an apathetic people" or "illumine the minds of thinkers the world over."

To make gold out of dross is generally recognized as difficult. To attempt to make a hero out of Ariyaratne is incredibly hilarious.

The searchlight is next turned on the role of NGOs in the area of foreign policy. How their spokespersons openly advocated the break-up of the state or the sacrifice of our sovereignty or the abject surrender to Indian hegemony was referred to earlier.

Similarly it is now recounted how gleefully these same persons hailed the Indian intervention when even the international press, like the British Guardian or the New York Times, criticized it in the harshest terms. Or how enthusiastically they supported the traditional homeland concept.

In fact so committed to the cause of the enemies of the state are these NGOs that it is pointed out that when territory was being re-captured by government troops, some like the International Alert were vociferous in demanding foreign intervention to halt it.

In a chapter devoted to Case Studies some of these NGOs are studied in detail. One of these is the International Alert. Readers are informed of the infamous role it and its Secretary-General, Kumar Rupasinghe, played in Sierra Leone -"the IA was working as an adviser [to the rebels] not a neutral facilitator on the peace process" - as an instance of the dubious role of NGOs in peace processes.

Another case study is that of the National Peace Council and the "very peaceful positions" adopted by its Media Director, Jehan Perera. A third case study is that of the Berghof.

This is the NGO which Dr. Goonetilake reveals advocated through its spokesman, the ubiquitous Rupasinghe, "demilitarization, de-mobilization and disarmament" and this at a time when the country's sovereignty was in grave peril.

Questionable information

To illustrate the NGO role in academia the author draws on one of his outstanding previous publications, "Anthropologising Sri Lanka".

Here he demonstrates how an identifiable group of NGOs acted as a filtering net to channel "questionable information and constructions" to the four anthropologists discussed in the publication.

Of course one cannot have much respect for the research methods of the anthropologists but that was thoroughly exposed by Dr. Goonetilake in his earlier publication.

The final group of NGOs exposed is those concerned with human rights. The main point in this chapter is that the armed revolt that erupted after the Indian Accord resulted in deaths estimated as high as 40,000 to 100,000 and large-scale human rights violations and the foreign-funded NGOs distorted what was really happening.

What they did, the author argues, was "to demonize" Southern insurgents while "indirectly sanitizing State machinery." The slaughter that was taking place was not discussed or was played down.

The horrendous role played by organizations like PRRA was never discussed nor the lone fight waged by lawyers such as Prins Gunasekera against such horrors. An instance that he uses to make his point here is that of Asia Watch.

The latter's methods has been the subject of an exhaustive study by a Nanda Witharanage and Dr. Goonetilake uses its conclusions to illustrate the "unevenness in the reporting by Asia Watch".

The final act in this drama was the setting-up of a Presidential Commission on Youth Unrest by the Premadasa regime to inquire into the causes of the revolt. Radhika Coomaraswamy, it appears, was one member.

That Commission seems to have done the final cover-up job. The Indian Accord, "the real reason for the revolt" is ignored. The cause for youth unrest was found to be "due to economic and social reasons".

Easily the most telling argument in the book is contained in the chapter entitled "Voluntarism" where Dr. Goonetilake discusses and contrasts the civil society that existed in the island before the rise of NGOs which are, he says, "the declared aspirants of the civil society status."

The views that are expressed here are in some ways path-breaking and much of the material on which it is based may not be popularly known.

He begins by pointing out that even as far back as the period of the French Revolution, to which the notion of civil society can be traced, Sri Lanka is pictured favourably in the imagination and writings of the ideologues of the French Revolution such as Voltaire, Rousseau and Diderot.

Historical times

The point he goes on to make is that from historical times there existed in the island organizations and institutions that occupied the space between individuals and governments and implied the existence of free association, both of which are characteristics of real civil society.

Such organizations and institutions ranged from the village tribunal, the Gam Sabha to the Buddhist temple and the Sangha.

In two illuminating sections he elaborates on "Monks as Civil Society" and "Monks and Buddhism as Crucibles of Anti-colonialism and Social Reforms".

And then he reaches the very crescendo of his argument where he contends that break-up of this structure and the emergence of NGOs came with one "Yankee Dickie".

The final section of the book is an exposition of the characteristics of these NGOs that replaced the civil society that was. They are not activists but cloistered groups. They are not transparent.

They are sources of highly paid jobs for upper class persons. (Here one cannot help digressing to recall an interview the Editor of the Sunday Observer, Rajpal Abeynayake, had with Kumar Rupesinghe of the Berghof Foundation.

As reported in the press one question the editor persistently asked Rupasinghe, over and over again, was the amount of his remuneration. Never was that question answered. Over and over again it was dodged. Why?) Further NGOs "are not prescribed any mandate by a membership".

They are initiated and controlled by one or two persons opening the door to nepotism and corruption as in the Sarvodaya. They are not sustainable organizations but dry up when the tap of foreign funds is closed.

Unsavoury activities

"Recolonisation" is a very timely publication. All over the world today there is a growing backlash against the unsavoury activities of NGOs. Governments are beginning to question their legitimacy and accountability. Concerned with the pressures they exert laws under which they operate are being changed.

We see that concern growing in Sri Lanka too, today, with the appointment of a Parliamentary Select Committee to investigate their activities, which has already taken against certain INGOs functioning in the North.

Even the world of cinematography is turning its searchlight on them with the well-known director di Caprio said to be producing a film based on the nefarious activities of International Alert in Sierra Leone.

This absorbing book will therefore be of immense interest to all those individuals and institutions alike that are either associated with the work of NGOs or those who thought they were "unsullied harbingers of good."

The scholarship on which this book is based, as one would expect of an academic of Dr. Goonetilake's eminence, is beyond question. Here are no wild statements, no unfounded charges, no rhetorical bursts.

Every irregularity mentioned, every incriminating statement recorded is substantiated with evidence and with recognized authorities.

When it is pointed out that Sarvodaya hijacked Abeysekera's good work, the basis for that charge is nothing other than Abeysekera's own official diaries. The bibliography attached to the book extends to 15 pages.

"Recolonisation" is a meticulously researched, pioneering and absorbing study.

Novel approach to biography writing

Being close to them - among some eminent personalities

Author: W.T.A. Leslie Fernando

Publishers: Godage International Publishes

Price Rs. 400, Pages 200

Review: Prof. Nandasena RATNAPALA

BIOGRAPHIES: Fortunately in Sinhala we do have a fair number of biographies. They are all written on the historical perspective. In other words they relate the life-story of the person concerned in the historical sequences.

In this biographies of eminent personalities in addition to the historical perspective, one finds a personal approach. All the personalities except one were close associates of the author in one way or another. He has added a rare personal touch to his contribution.

It is this personal touch that adds a rare colour to all his biographies. I had not seen that in any other biographies written in Sinhala.

It has added spice to a sumptuous meal. As a consequence the lives in the biographies come into life vividly before us. In most biographies we read about people dead and gone.

Here the personalities live with us before our own eyes, and the author brings the personalities to the present times. They are indeed thus not people dead and gone but people living over in our mind's eye, in our actual experience.

As Thomas Carlyle has said (appropriately quoted by the author) "Biography is the most universally pleasant and profitable of all reading."

Here Leslie Fernando gives us more than pleasant and profitable reading. He makes us think of these remarkable men, what they accomplished and their bright ideas.

Eminent personalities

Glancing through the galaxy of eminent personalities chosen by him we observe that the base of his description is set on a historical data and how then he moves to recount the way these personalities personally affected him.

Referring to Bishop Dr. Edmund Pieris, he says how the European missionaries who manned the Catholic Church at that time could not understand or appreciate the culture of the country.

The people of Sri Lanka slavishly attempted to imitate the West and the Catholic Church too was drawn to it. As a result the Catholic Church thus became a Westernized institution.

In this historical context Bishop Edmund Pieris became a pioneer in the national awakening. With him the Catholic Church in Sri Lanka began a distinct march towards a national outlook.

He then picks up the distinctive characteristics of the great Bishop. He records that Bishop Edmund Pieris was the first Sinhalese Bishop in the history of the Catholic Church.

Catholic literature

Bishop Edmund Pieris was an authority in Sinhala and Tamil Catholic literature. He identified himself with events of national importance.

During the Kachchativu Debate between Sri Lanka and India which almost developed into a conflict he produced documents to show that Kachchativu legally belonged to Sri Lanka.

Another biography that deeply impressed me was that of Phillip Gunawardena. The author states how was this rare man's mission was. He had a pragmatic approach to Marxism and he was not a dogmatic Marxist like most others.

Colonial rule

The author refers as to how Mr. Phillip Gunawardena organized a broad-based organization against the colonial rule. In India during the World War II he worked under a disguised name to escape the British.

Phillip's association with various prominent individuals, both in Sri Lanka and outside is described. In the U.S.A. he worked with Jayaprakash Narayanan and others. He also worked with individuals such as famous Jomo Kenyata.

Phillip's character is sincerely depicted. The author's close association with Phillip is the fount of this sincerity. Phillip was a man with stern moral rectitude. As a judge who examined a case against him remarked he was "An embodiment of honesty and integrity"

Education, experience and character were the factors that moulded this remarkable man. His family life was unostentatious. He had an affectionate family.

Phillip's political and social attainments are recounted in detail. Sketches of personal experiences of the author adds colour and style to the recounting.

The nation has made no fitting tribute to one of its great sons Phillip Gunawardena. This biography, although short, is at least gives a glimpse of a giant of a man.

Perhaps future historians would judge him correct and evaluate his efforts to present Marxism in a national grab and to create a just society that is secure and happy for everyone regardless of race, creed or caste.

Sinhala music

Another biography of which I should speak something is that of Fr. Marcelline Jayakody. This Father is venerated not only by Christians but also by Buddhists.

He was the person who brought Sinhala music to the Church. In addition he composed Sinhalese songs and thus was a very popular lyricist. His songs composed for certain films are still favourites with the people.

According to Leslie Fernando there is no other Catholic priest who was so harassed, victimized and humiliated by the Church authorities.

The good Father bore all this missiles thrown at him with compassion and fortitude. He overcame all opposition and finally rose to the level of a national figure.

The author underlines these aspects of his character wherein the Father facing tough opposition carried out his chosen mission.

Leslie Fernando's selection of religious personalities is not confined to Catholic priests. There are biographies of five Buddhist monks. Of those I like to comment on the biography of Ven. Horathapola Palitha.

He is just like Fr. Marcelline Jayakody much criticized and vilified individual. In spite of all this opposition he accomplished his tasks in life.

He developed the temple he lived and worked for the country. He wrote books in Sinhala and was a good journalist.

He identified himself with Phillip Gunawardena and became one of his close associates. He did all this without injuring his commitment as a Buddhist monk.

Human development

The author records from his personal association the monk's prowess to ill-health. In spite of such ill-health his determination for the principles of human development, his commitment and sincerity remained intact.

Writing the biography of Dr. C.W.W. Kannangara is another national service the author has performed.

This man who was responsible for the Free Education system which all of us enjoy today is not given his due place in history.

Actually his biography in detail should be published and prescribed compulsory reading in all schools. An eminent Indian has remarked "If this man is born in India, we would have respected him as a god."

By including his biography, the author has shown the value of what C.W.W. Kannangara did for the country. His marathon speech in the State Council at the time he presented the Free Education Bill is mentioned in the biography.

National level

In addition, biographies of Ven. Siyabalangomuwe Sri Gunaratana, Ven. Meegomuwe Jinawansa, Fr. W.L.A. Don Peter, Dr. Hector Fernando, Fr. Gregory Fernando, Judge W.P.N. de Silva, Fr. Henry Rodrigo, Ven. Dr. Ittapane Dhammalankara, Ven. Matale Dhammakusala, W.A. Abeysinghe, Bro. Paul Nizier and the last but not the least that of the author's Father Santiago Fernando written by Basil de Silva are found.

We should be thankful to Santiago Fernando for the work he did for the area and his activities done at the national level.

We are also obliged to him for giving the nation a son of the calibre of W.T.A. Leslie Fernando, a Judge, an author and a humanist. Our thanks go to Basil de Silva for the only essay included here from outside.

This singular contribution of Leslie Fernando should find its way to every library and every persons hand. May the Sinhala reading public be fortunate enough to get a Sinhala version of this fine book.

Rare piece of literature

Bara Kava Gaba Saka

Edited by Embilipitiye David Bamunugama

Sarathchandra Offset Printers, Pallegama, Embilipitiya

43 pp. Price Rs. 100

Review: Gamini G. PUNCHIHEWA

HERITAGE: Bara Kava Gaba Saka is the history and heritage of the Sankapala Raja Maha Vihara, an ancient temple coming down from warrior Phussadeva's time of 2nd century BC.

After the war with Elara, Phussadeva himself became a Buddhist monk and stayed in one of those lenas and attained Arahathood.

He had two talented faculties: one is to blow the conch (hakgediya) and the other was his marksmanship as a bowman.

There is a Brahmi inscription to say that Phussadeva donated the lena to the Buddhist clergy and a symbol of the conch is etched on the apex of the lena.

One outstanding feature of literary revelation is the famed Ven. Karatota Dhammananda. He was imprisoned by the king of Kandy Rajaddhi Rajasinghe of 18th century as the king suspected the priest to be in close contact with the Dutch.

He was arrested on the king's order and imprisoned in Kandy. While languishing in prison he wrote the intricate Bara Kava. The poems are written in 12 lines.

Another great talent the author had was his ability to put the Barsa Kavi into the digital system (See pages 21-23). The king decreed that anyone who interpreted the puzzling words would be rewarded, as the king himself could not understand them.

Ultimately the king had to ask Ven Karatota Thera to discipher them. Then the king released him and made him the incumbent of Sankapala Vihara.

Launch of Nihathamani Rajya Nayakaya

BIOGRAPHY: The biography of former President D. B. Wijethunga titled Nihathamani Rajya Nayakaya written by Menike Sumanasekera will be launched at a ceremony to be held on Sunday 26 November at 3.00 p.m. at Earls Regency Hotel at Thennakubura, Kandy.

Speaker W. J. M. Lokubandara will be the chief guest and the Leader of UNP and Leader of Opposition Ranil Wickremesinghe will be the guest of honour at the ceremony.

The speakers at the ceremony will include Minister of Posts, Telecommunication and Upcountry Development D. M. Jayaratna and Minister of Public Administration and Home Affairs Dr. Sarath Amunugama.

The welcome address will be delivered by M. P. for Polonnaruwa Earl Gunasekera. Former President D. B. Wijethunga and a distinguished gathering will grace the occasion.

Menike Sumanasekera is a Counsellor in Psychology and a public speaker and an author of several books on Positive Thinking and Empowerment. "Nihathamani Rajya Nayakaya" is her maiden biography.