Tag Archives: China

Sri Lanka Cedes Another Port, This Time An Airport, To Foreign Powers — India + Russia!

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by Anura Guruge
on April 26, 2024

Click to ENLARGE. News snippets from ‘Google News‘.

This can’t be good. China already has a 99-year lease on deep-sea HARBOR nearby. Then, {as I reported} folks talk about ‘Russian Enclaves‘ in Sri Lanka. Now this. So, now China, India & Russia — a rather curious trinity — legally have footholds in Sri Lanka, controlling ports to boot.

Some of this {maybe much of it} probably has to do with the rampant corruption in the upper echelons of the government. Sri Lanka has been plagued by corruption & mismanagement for at least the last 50 years — & they have only been independent (from the British) for 76-years. I don’t think it was always the case. I think the first batch of leaders we had, straight after Independence {i.e., the ones I were personally familiar with}, weren’t totally corrupt. From what I could see {& I had quite a good & privileged vantage} they genuinely cared. They wanted to make something of the much sought Independence.

I could be wrong, but I think the corruption crept in during the late 1960s.

I, obviously, have no skin in this game. I gave up my Sri Lankan citizenship in 1983. I haven’t been back since 1992. So, this is all kind of academic. Historic.

I think China should TAKEOVER Sri Lanka. They own much of the Sri Lankan debt. Sri Lankans aren’t doing a very good job taking care of their country.

Sri Lanka Independence Day 2024: For The 2nd Year, The Government Panders To India — This Time By Inviting A Submarine!

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by Anura Guruge
on February 3, 2024

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Click to access the original from the Indian ‘The Hindu‘.

Last year. A stamp to honor ‘Jawaharlal Nehru‘.
See my post.

Click to ENLARGE. From ‘Google News’.

Sri Lanka got its political independence from Britain on February 4, 1948.

That was a BIG DEAL.

But now, due to decades of corrupt and inept governments both FINANCIAL & MILITARY independence has been squandered.

Sri Lanka is mighty beholden to China & India — both jockeying to get the edge over the other.

Inviting an Indian submarine for Independence Day celebrations is like a JOKE. It doesn’t convey strength, resolve and independence.

Last year the stamp. This year a submarine.

Yes, I have heard that large chunks of the locals are NOT happy.

It is a shame. I grew up, in Ceylon, as the 1st generation born after Independence. Those were happy days with much optimism and promise. Shame.

I have NO skin in the game — other than being born there. I gave up my Sri Lankan citizenship in 1983. That was 41 years ago.

But, I still mark ‘February 4‘. Always remember that as Independence Day.

Nuclear Power Stations Are ROARING BACK In 2023 — & I Am DELIGHTED! Only Way To Go.

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by Anura Guruge
on August 31, 2023

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Click to ENLARGE. From ‘CNBC’ from just YESTERDAY.
Click to ENLARGE. From ‘Google’.
Click to ENLARGE. From this Blog — from last year. Check them out.

I was the CNBC post about China’s push towards nuclear power (top image) & was DELIGHTED.

I have always been a believer & fan of nuclear power. It is reliable, cheap power with some, inevitable, consequences — & I only worry about safely getting rid of the spent fuel rather than risk.

It is really the only way we can truly meet our ever increasing demands for CLEAN energy. We can’t move forward without renewing an ALL OUT push for nuclear power — on a HUGE SCALE. We can’t be BOTH worried about climate change & nuclear power at the same time. There is, as with nearly all things to do with LIFE, a risk. The risk with nuclear continues to get more containable — & manageable.

Living itself is a risk!

Going out on the roads, flying, drinking etc. etc. all have risks. But, most of us still do them.

We can’t dismiss nuclear because of setbacks from MANY, MANY decades ago.

Technology has moved on & we have more expertise.

IF we had given up on jets because of the early accidents we would not have today’s air travel. Think about that. Engineers studied & learnt from the early oversights.

So, I am delighted that we are rethinking nuclear.

Alas, this kind of thinking will never occur in the U.S. because of this inane political divide — the two sides not even able to work together when it comes to climate change.

Current Spate Of ‘UFOs’ — Drug Smuggling?

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by Anura Guruge
on February 13, 2023

Click to ENLARGE. Base image from ‘Google News’.
Click to ENLARGE. From the ‘Washington Examiner‘.

Just an idea. Just a theory.

Those that know me (& there is only a handful) know that my brain is never short of things that never cross the minds of others.

Yes, I had heard, way back, that balloons have been used to gently float drugs across borders.

We should AT LEAST put this on the table as a possibility. More plausible than some of the other theories being bandied about.

We know that every single means of transportation has been used for drug smuggling — costs never a barrier.

Let me even go one OUTLANDISH step even further. Is China dropping drugs over North America to just cause disruption? Would be highly effective. We already have enough of a huge drug problem. Just think … if drugs start falling out of the SKY!

‘American Factory’ (2019) ‘Netflix’ Documentary Which Depicts A Very True Story Is Sobering, Thought-Provoking & Most Of All SCARY!

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by Anura Guruge
on February 12, 2023

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Click image to access the ‘IMDb.com’ listing for this documentary that has the feel of a movie.

Watch the YouTube trailer.

When you are watching this documentary you realize, conclusively, why China is such a dominant power when it comes to manufacturing & why China intends to be the most powerful superpower in the Universe.

I have known & worked with non-American Chinese. While they have always been super friendly, helpful etc. you always get the feeling that they are working per a bigger, master plan. There is always a hint of ruthlessness lurking.

This documentary shows a HUGE, unbridgeable gulf between the U.S. & China when it comes to the PEOPLE.

What struck me the most was how UNHEALTHY the Americans looked compared to 95% of the Chinese. Most of the Chinese workers & mid-tier management look super healthy — though quite a few smoked. And then there is their commitment, dedication & drive. Wow. No wonder they have achieved so much. That is what makes this scary. How do you compete with them? Not sure Indians, push-comes-to-shove, are a match.

Very sobering. China has a plan. China has a Master Plan. China has a Strategic Master Plan. Based on this documentary I am not sure how the U.S. can stop them at least in the arena of manufacturing.

This is a DOCUMENTARY though you could watch it as a movie. It is for those that enjoy food for thought. This is not a comedy or light fare. This will shock you!

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Sri Lanka Issuing A Stamp Honoring India’s ‘Nehru’ As Part Of Lanka’s Independence Day Celebrations Is Sheer, Shameless Political Pandering.

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by Anura Guruge
on February 7, 2023

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Click to ENLARGE. From ‘Google News’.

I am fortunate enough to have met & spoken to the charismatic ‘Jawaharlal Nehru‘. He, as Prime Minister of India came to our house for dinner during his official visit to Ceylon in 1962. {Smile. What can I say? My father was in charge of that visit & I guess he wanted something other than a very fancy, state dinner for at least one night.} I still remember meeting him. I would have been 9. He towered over me, all dressed in his trademark white. He GLOWED. He was so tall. So erect. Wow. What a man.

I have nothing, whatsoever, against Nehru. He was a GOOD MAN. One of my third-tier heroes. Under any other circumstances I would have applauded Sri Lanka honoring him with a flag.

But, this is so, so shameless. Political pandering, bordering on political prostitution.

Yes, Sri Lanka is so, so desperate for India to bail it out of its dire financial crisis. But, this is so obvious & pathetic. It will also annoy the Chinese. The Indians must be falling over themselves laughing at the weak, groveling Sri Lanka. Not good. Very sad. We were once a proud nation.

Tearing Apart The Chinese Spy Balloon With A $400K ‘Sidewinder’ Missile Was So American Machismo Gung Ho — Better To Have Riddled It With A Machine Gun.

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by Anura Guruge
on February 6, 2023

Click to ENLARGE. From the U.K. ‘Daily Mail’.

Using a $400K missile was an unnecessary & COSTLY show of FORCE by Biden & the U.S. Yes, wanting to show their STRENGTH. But, that strength really was never in question.

We have been bringing enemy balloon downs since BEFORE WW I — & that was well over a century ago.

A missile is EXPENSIVE & just makes a BIG mess.

The fabric of the balloon, can be punctured with bullets. Aircraft machine gun. They should have sent out some OLD WWII era fighters & riddled the envelope with bullet holes when this damn balloon was still a few miles inland from the coast.

Then it would have slowly & gently DEFLATED. It is Helium gas. It would not have burned or exploded. The balloon would have slowly drifted to sea — not that far out.

Using a missile was just COSTLY & unnecessary.

Why Is South Africa, Long A Staunch Ally, Now Participating In Naval War Games With Russia & China?

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by Anura Guruge
on February 4, 2023

Click to ENLARGE. From ‘Google News’ (right) & from U.K. ‘Daily Mail’ (left).

This is NOT just crazy but stupid?

South Africa has been an ally of the West since the 1900s. They fought with US in both the World Wars. So, what are they now doing with Russia & China. This is NOT right.

South Africa, for heaven’s sake, is a CRICKET & RUGBY playing nation! They are not Commies — at least the last I knew.

This should not be happening.

They have to be brought back into the fold.

I am going to keep a keen eye on this. Not right. Not cricket.

BIGGEST Question Re. Chinese Spy Balloon — Why Wasn’t It SPOTTED By U.S. Radar?

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by Anura Guruge
on February 3, 2023

Click to ENLARGE. From ‘Google News’.

It was spotted, FOR THE FIRST TIME, by passengers on a regular, commercial jet flying over ‘Billings’, Montana. Not even by the pilots. By passengers. That is crazy & SCARY.

It was NOT detected by U.S. radar?

That alone is THE STORY.

That has to be the biggest intelligence that China or Russia wanted. Must have exceeded all expectations. They could get this huge balloon, three times the size of a school bus that far into the U.S. without detection.

There has to be more to this than we are being told.

But, I don’t like it. It is scary. It is UNREAL.

China Should Take Control Of Sri Lanka To End The Misery & Mismanagement. There Will Be Little Repercussions.

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by Anura Guruge
on March 31, 2022

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Click to ENLARGE. From ‘Google News‘. All in the last 14-hours!
Click to ENLARGE. 3 posts from my old ‘NHlife’ blog. Access blog & do a search.

Here are some extracts from my May 2021 post (shown above):

“China already through various deals & LEASES owns a fair chunk of coastal Sri Lanka — including one strategic port.”

“Various administrations, over the last two decades, have out of desperation or for personal gain, given China more & more access & sway over the country. China is happy to lend Sri Lanka lost of money (with backhanders in tow) as long as the loans are backed up by access to land & water.”

“It is no secret that China doesn’t have enough fertile land to support it population. They are buying & leasing land all over the world.”

The current President & his relatives (that run most of the country) will gladly handover the keys to Sri Lanka to China for a few more million dollars & flee to the U.S.! Yes, many have U.S. citizenship — or they will claim asylum.

It would be bloodless.

And as we have seen with Ukraine U.S. & others, at best, will impose some financial sanctions on China — who will just shrug them off.

Yes, India will NOT be happy BUT India is not going to go to war with China over Sri Lanka. That nuclear thing … & Sri Lanka, in the end, is still a very small potatoe.

China will whip the country back into some level of normalcy. It will be better than the misery they have now.

Just my thought. I am sure China has already thought this through & has a plan.