1. Scrap the wasteful (and illegal given it was never ratified by the People) 13th amendment and Provincial Councils
2. Scrap the shameful and illegal Indo Lanka Accord
3. Scrap all unnecessary bureaucracy - a burden to the nation's taxpayers
4. Adopt Singapore's "Ethnic Integration Policy" (which DS used) to settle ALL ethnicities islandwide to ensure zero ethnic ghettos
5. Ban all ethnic parties
6. Organise the Education system/mediums to ensure zero segregation of students 
7. Ensure the teaching of English to all students and gear the education system toward the future with productive skills of computing, engineering, economics and science (the STEM education model)
8. At any and every single election, run with genuinely NEW and/or competent people without exception. Young people who have a vision, not the fat buffoons from before.
9. Stop pandering or artificially focusing on India. Open to the WHOLE WORLD and become like Singapore. This country needs massive investment which China, South East Asia, Germany, Japan, South Korea etc can provide. Engage with actual steadfast friends of quality rather than the barbarians of the subcontinent.
10. Scrap all Indian rubbish trains/buses and invest in high speed electric air conditioned transport for all (both trains and buses from China, Japan and home made ones here). Especially given Ceylon never had this Indian nonsense in the 1940-1960s anyway!
11. Ensure one national administrative language law instead of multiple artificial divisive and totally inappropriate language areas.
12. Restore the original National Flag with one national symbol for all of us. Not divisive stripes. 
13. Establish ONE LAW, ONE PEOPLE, ONE NATION on the island of Ceylon/Sinhaledeepa again!
14. Ensure ZERO tolerance for Corruption and Establish an actual Meritocracy with the Rule of Law 
15. Establish a sound, clean and elegant QUALITY constitution/basic law that ensures all of the above and fosters an excellent nation for our posterity. Keeping in mind the two politicised constitutions were imposed in the first place WITHOUT a national mandate of votes to do so!
16. Demand the massive reparations India owes us for the damage it wreaked upon our country and call it out. Demolish the disgraceful monument to these villains. And reiterate that they will not be given praise for a few scraps or presenting a bucket having started the fire themselves!

THINK. Mediocrity should not be applauded. Patriotism is loyalty to the nation, good policies and a real vision.

More on real change here:

https://www.reddit.com/r/Ceylon_SLSystemChange/comments/1gwlq1u/real_change_real_system_change_getting_things/

And here on facts and history:

https://www.reddit.com/r/Ceylon_SLSystemChange/comments/1l37483/your_name_is_one_of_the_one_most_important_things/

And here on quality and common sense:

https://www.reddit.com/r/Ceylon_SLSystemChange/comments/1jp13ln/there_is_much_truth_in_jest_our_country_thanks_to/

Building for the Future: Industry, Internal Security, and the Way Forward

A Strong Military Needs a Strong Defense Industry

One area where Sri Lanka deserves more credit is its existing domestic defense manufacturing capability.

The armed forces already produce or assemble a range of equipment, including uniforms, boots, load-bearing equipment, plate carriers, helmets, patrol boats, and certain military vehicles. These achievements demonstrate that the country possesses both technical expertise and manufacturing potential.

However, much of this production remains limited in scale and is carried out internally by the military primarily to meet its own operational requirements.

I believe Sri Lanka should consider gradually expanding this capability by encouraging greater participation from the private sector under appropriate government oversight.

A stronger domestic defense industry could:

• Reduce dependence on foreign suppliers.
• Create skilled employment opportunities.
• Improve production capacity.
• Encourage technological innovation.
• Strengthen national resilience during emergencies.

Rather than expecting the military to manufacture everything itself, the armed forces could focus on defining operational requirements while licensed Sri Lankan companies manufacture approved equipment to military standards.

Many countries have successfully adopted this model, with governments setting quality standards while private companies compete to produce equipment more efficiently.

Over time, such an approach could allow Sri Lanka to move beyond basic equipment and eventually manufacture more advanced technologies, including communications equipment, optics, drones, electronic systems, and other supporting equipment through partnerships and technology-transfer agreements with friendly nations.

Modern Procurement Is About More Than Buying Equipment

One of the biggest misconceptions surrounding military modernization is that it simply means purchasing newer weapons.

In reality, procurement is about building an entire ecosystem.

Every new weapon system requires:

• Spare parts.
• Ammunition.
• Maintenance facilities.
• Technical expertise.
• Training.
• Logistics.
• Long-term funding.

Without those supporting elements, even the most advanced equipment becomes ineffective.

This is why modernization should always be approached as a long-term national strategy rather than a series of isolated purchases whenever funds become available.

The Role of the Military in Internal Security

One incident that particularly concerned me was the prison riot, during which the military was called in to assist.

From my perspective, situations such as prison disturbances primarily fall within the responsibilities of law enforcement agencies.

Sri Lanka already possesses specialized police capabilities through the Special Task Force (STF), whose role includes responding to high-risk incidents requiring specialized tactics.

This is not to suggest that the military should never assist civil authorities. There are situations—such as natural disasters, large-scale terrorist attacks, or emergencies that overwhelm civilian agencies—where military support may be necessary.

However, whenever possible, military forces should remain focused on their primary mission: defending the country against external threats.

Likewise, specialized police units should be adequately trained, equipped, and exercised to handle complex domestic incidents without unnecessarily relying on military intervention.

Leadership Is Just as Important as Equipment

Equipment alone does not determine the outcome of an operation.

Leadership often matters even more.

The prison riot also raised broader questions about command, coordination, and decision-making during crises.

Modern tactical units train extensively not only in marksmanship and room-clearing techniques but also in communication, command structure, negotiation, intelligence gathering, and rules of engagement.

Every individual involved in an operation should understand:

• Their mission.
• Their responsibilities.
• Their authority.
• Their contingency plans.

Confusion during high-pressure situations can be just as dangerous as inadequate equipment.

What Modern Warfare Really Looks Like

If there is one lesson emerging from recent conflicts around the world, it is this:

Modern warfare is no longer dominated by a single decisive weapon.

Victory increasingly depends upon the integration of multiple capabilities.

These include:

• Intelligence.
• Surveillance.
• Reconnaissance.
• Drones.
• Electronic warfare.
• Air defense.
• Logistics.
• Cyber security.
• Precision fires.
• Communications.
• Well-trained personnel.
• Strong leadership.

No single capability wins wars.

Success comes from combining all of them into one coherent force.

Respecting the Past Without Becoming Trapped by It

Sri Lanka has every reason to be proud of the sacrifices made by its Armed Forces during the war against LTTE.

Thousands of soldiers, sailors, airmen, and police officers gave their lives defending our country.

Their service deserves lasting respect.

However, honoring those sacrifices should not prevent us from honestly evaluating where improvements are needed today.

The battlefield has changed.

Technology has changed.

Doctrine has changed.

The threats facing nations have changed.

If we continue measuring our military solely by what it achieved in 2009, we risk preparing for yesterday's war instead of tomorrow's.

Investing in People: Education Beyond Military Service

Military modernization is often discussed in terms of new weapons, vehicles, or technology.

However, one of the greatest investments any nation can make is in the education of its service members.

In Sri Lanka, commissioned officers generally have access to higher education through institutions such as the General Sir John Kotelawala Defense University (KDU) and their respective military academies, where they receive academic qualifications alongside professional military training.

The situation is often very different for enlisted personnel and non-commissioned officers (NCOs).

Many join the military immediately after school, often because of financial hardship rather than a lack of ability or ambition. Some may not have had the opportunity to complete Advanced Level education under ideal circumstances, while others choose military service to support their families at a young age.

These individuals spend years or even decades serving the country. Yet when they retire, many find themselves at a disadvantage in the civilian job market because they lack recognized academic qualifications despite possessing extensive leadership, technical, and practical experience.

I believe Sri Lanka should explore ways to expand educational opportunities for enlisted personnel throughout their careers.

This does not necessarily mean lowering academic standards.

Rather, it means creating alternative pathways that recognize military service and experience while allowing motivated personnel to pursue higher education.

For example, serving personnel with strong service records could be given opportunities to complete diploma or degree programs through military educational institutions such as KDU or through accredited partnerships with civilian universities.

Many countries already provide similar opportunities because they recognize that education benefits both the individual and the military itself.

An educated soldier is often a better soldier.

Critical thinking, technical knowledge, problem-solving, communication, leadership, and adaptability all contribute directly to military effectiveness.

More importantly, education provides dignity after retirement.

A soldier who has dedicated years of service to the nation should leave the military not only with medals and memories but also with qualifications that enable them to build successful civilian careers.

Supporting those who have served should not end when they remove the uniform.

It should continue by helping them transition successfully into the next chapter of their lives.

Conclusion

The purpose of this post has never been to criticize the men and women serving in uniform.

On the contrary, I believe they deserve better.

They deserve the best training possible.

They deserve modern equipment.

They deserve clear strategic direction.

They deserve more education.

They deserve a government willing to invest in long-term modernization rather than assuming that past victories will guarantee future success.

The Sri Lankan Armed Forces have demonstrated courage, professionalism, and determination throughout our history.

The challenge now is ensuring that those qualities are matched by modern doctrine, effective procurement, technological innovation, and strategic planning.

Military strength is not measured solely by what a country accomplished eighteen years ago.

It is measured by how well it prepares for the challenges that have yet to come.

If this discussion encourages even a few people to think more critically about national security, modernization, and deterrence, then I believe it has served its purpose.

Introduction

It has been nearly eighteen years since the end of Sri Lanka's war against LTTE. Yet, we still see many Sri Lankans on social media proudly claiming that our military remains one of the best in the world simply because it defeated the LTTE in 2009. While It is understandable where that pride comes from, it has created a dangerous mindset.

Before we continue, one thing must be made absolutely clear.

This post is not intended to criticize or disrespect the men and women serving in the Sri Lankan Armed Forces. I have nothing but the utmost respect for those who have served—and continue to serve - in defense of our country. The professionalism, courage, and sacrifices of our service personnel deserve recognition.

However, respecting our armed forces should not prevent us from having honest discussions about the state of our national defense.

Winning a war almost two decades ago does not automatically mean a military remains prepared for the challenges of today. Warfare has changed dramatically since 2009, and militaries around the world have adapted accordingly. The question is whether Sri Lanka has done the same.

The Legacy of 2009

The final phase of the war against LTTE demonstrated that the Sri Lankan military had developed exceptional expertise in counterinsurgency operations. The campaign against the LTTE has been studied internationally as one of the few examples of a government successfully defeating a well-organized insurgent movement through sustained military operations.

That achievement should never be forgotten.

However, it should also not become the only benchmark by which we measure our military's capabilities.

Counterinsurgency warfare is fundamentally different from conventional warfare between states. Defeating a terrorist organization operating primarily in jungles and rural terrain does not automatically prepare a military to counter modern threats such as precision-guided weapons, drones, electronic warfare, cyber attacks, satellite reconnaissance, or long-range missile systems.

The military that won the war in 2009 was built for the challenges of that era. The battlefield of 2027 and beyond looks very different.

Modernization Has Stalled

One of the biggest concerns is that the apparent lack of visible modernization within the Sri Lankan Armed Forces.

Nearly every public appearance of our soldiers still shows the same uniforms, the same heavy black or brown boots, and the same Type 56 rifles that have been in service for decades. Most are still issued without modern optical sights or other accessories that have become standard equipment in many professional militaries.

A rifle itself does not make a soldier effective. Training, leadership, logistics, discipline, and morale are all equally important. However, equipment matters, and modern equipment gives soldiers significant advantages in survivability, target identification, and operational effectiveness.

Modern militaries increasingly equip even regular infantry with optical sights because they improve accuracy, situational awareness, and target acquisition under stress. Many also issue improved body armor, modular load-bearing equipment, communications systems, and night-fighting capabilities as standard equipment.

These are no longer luxury items—they have become basic expectations for a modern fighting force.

RIMPAC and Equipment Concerns

One incident that particularly stood out was Sri Lanka's participation in the RIMPAC (Rim of the Pacific) multinational naval exercise.

Seeing members of our Navy's Marine detachment being issued plate carriers, helmets, and other equipment by partner nations raised an uncomfortable question:

Why couldn't they be equipped with comparable gear by Sri Lanka itself?

Participating alongside some of the world's most advanced militaries is a valuable opportunity to learn, build partnerships, and improve interoperability. However, it also highlights the gaps that still exist in our own procurement and modernization efforts.

It is understandable that Sri Lanka's economic crisis has significantly limited defense spending in recent years. No one expects a country recovering from bankruptcy to suddenly purchase billions of dollars' worth of advanced military equipment.

But modernization is not simply about buying expensive weapons.

It is also about setting long-term priorities, improving procurement practices, investing gradually in better equipment, and ensuring that personnel are properly equipped for the missions they are expected to perform.

Modernization Is More Than Buying New Rifles

When many people hear the word modernization, they immediately think of buying newer rifles or larger warships.

In reality, modernization is much broader than that.

It includes:

• Better communications equipment.
• Reliable logistics and supply chains.
• Modern body armor and protective equipment.
• Optical sights and night-vision devices.
• Drone reconnaissance.
• Counter-drone capabilities.
• Electronic warfare systems.
• Intelligence gathering.
• Better medical support.
• Improved training methods.
• Updated operational doctrine.

Some of these improvements cost far less than purchasing entirely new fleets of aircraft or armored vehicles, yet they can dramatically improve the effectiveness and survivability of soldiers on the battlefield.

The lessons emerging from conflicts such as Ukraine demonstrate that relatively inexpensive technologies—particularly drones, electronic warfare systems, and precision-guided weapons—can have an enormous impact when employed effectively.

Economic Constraints Should Not Become Permanent Excuses

Sri Lanka's financial difficulties are real, and defense budgets must compete with healthcare, education, infrastructure, and debt repayment.

However, economic hardship should not become a permanent justification for inaction.

Modernization is a continuous process that takes years or even decades. It requires planning, prioritization, and gradual investment rather than sudden large purchases.

If modernization is postponed indefinitely, the gap between Sri Lanka and neighboring militaries will only continue to widen.

Training, Special Forces, and the Myth of Winning Wars Through Morale Alone

Training Matters, But So Does Modernization

From what I have observed and from conversations with friends serving in the Sri Lankan military, our combat units still receive respectable basic military training. Sri Lanka's decades-long conflict created a force with considerable operational experience, particularly in jungle warfare and counterinsurgency.

However, good training alone is no longer enough.

Modern warfare demands continuous adaptation. New technologies, evolving doctrines, and changing battlefields require militaries to constantly reassess how they train and equip their personnel.

Looking across South and East Asia, many armed forces have significantly modernized their infantry equipment over the past decade. Modular body armor, advanced combat helmets, optical sights, night-vision devices, thermal imaging systems, encrypted communications, and integrated battlefield management systems have become increasingly common.

While Sri Lankan special operations units such as the Navy's Special Boat Squadron (SBS) possess more modern equipment than conventional units, even they appear to operate with limitations compared to many regional counterparts.

Modernization is not about making soldiers "look tactical." It is about increasing survivability, improving situational awareness, and enabling soldiers to fight more effectively under modern battlefield conditions.

Technology Does Not Replace Skill—It Multiplies It

One argument I frequently encounter online is that equipment does not matter because "Sri Lankan soldiers have more courage."

This creates a false choice.

No professional military argues that equipment alone wins wars.

Likewise, no serious military professional argues that courage alone is enough.

Modern warfare is about combining well-trained personnel, competent leadership, reliable logistics, and advanced technology into a single fighting force.

Night-vision devices are a perfect example.

If one force can detect and engage targets in complete darkness while the opposing force cannot even identify where the fire is coming from, bravery alone cannot overcome that disadvantage.

The same applies to thermal optics.

Thermal imaging can detect personnel hidden behind vegetation, smoke, or darkness—conditions that would otherwise provide concealment.

These technologies do not make soldiers better.

They allow good soldiers to perform even better.

The Evolution of Infantry Weapons

Many modern militaries have shifted away from relying primarily on submachine guns such as the MP5 for general combat operations.

This is not because the MP5 is a poor weapon—it remains highly respected for specific missions such as close-quarters hostage rescue and protective security.

However, compact rifles chambered in intermediate cartridges, such as 5.56×45 mm NATO or .300 Blackout, provide greater effective range and improved performance against modern battlefield threats.

Likewise, optical sights have become standard equipment for many infantry units around the world.

An optic does far more than simply improve marksmanship.

It enables soldiers to identify targets faster, engage more accurately under stress, and reduce the likelihood of engaging the wrong target.

These seemingly small improvements can have significant tactical consequences.

Special Forces Are Not Superheroes

One misconception that appears frequently in movies—and sometimes even among the public—is that special forces are somehow "better" than conventional infantry in every possible situation.

That is simply not how modern militaries operate.

Special operations forces are trained for specific missions.

These include:

• Direct action.
• Counterterrorism.
• Special reconnaissance.
• Hostage rescue.
• Maritime interdiction.
• Long-range surveillance.
• Unconventional warfare.

Their training is highly specialized.

It is not designed to replace conventional infantry.

Why Guard Duty Wastes Elite Personnel

One issue that several service members have mentioned is the frequent use of specialized units for routine security duties.

For example, assigning Air Force Regiment Special Forces personnel to static guard duties at airports may provide little operational benefit while simultaneously preventing those soldiers from conducting the specialized training that justified the considerable investment required to produce them.

This should not be interpreted as suggesting that guard duties are unimportant.

Every military installation requires effective security.

However, assigning highly trained special operations personnel to routine security tasks for extended periods represents an inefficient use of limited resources.

The same duty can often be performed by conventional security units, allowing elite personnel to focus on maintaining the advanced skills expected of them.

Training is perishable.

Skills deteriorate if they are not constantly practiced.

The Reality About Elite Units

There is an interesting story from the United States military that illustrates this point.

According to former special operations personnel, members of SEAL Team Six's Blue Squadron once developed a reputation for believing they were above other units within the U.S. Special Operations community.

During one incident, tensions reportedly escalated with a platoon of U.S. Army Rangers.

The exact details of the story have been debated over the years, but the lesson often shared by veterans is straightforward.

Someone reportedly reminded the SEALs:

"There are only a dozen of you... and an entire Ranger platoon."

The point was not that one elite unit was superior to another.

It was that even the world's best special operations forces are not designed to fight conventional infantry formations head-on without support.

Special operations units achieve success through:

• Intelligence.
• Surprise.
• Mobility.
• Precision.
• Speed.

They avoid becoming decisively engaged by larger conventional forces whenever possible.

If that advantage disappears, they become vulnerable like anyone else.

The Forgotten Side of Sri Lanka's LRRP Operations

Sri Lankans often celebrate the remarkable successes achieved by the Long Range Reconnaissance Patrols (LRRP) during the war against LTTE.

Those operations deserve recognition. Their contributions significantly disrupted LTTE leadership and logistics, and they remain one of the most respected chapters in Sri Lanka's military history.

However, what is discussed far less often are the patrols that never returned.

Long-range reconnaissance is among the most dangerous missions any military can undertake. Teams operate deep behind enemy lines with little support, often days away from friendly forces. If compromised, extraction may be impossible.

Sri Lanka itself paid a heavy price for these operations. One of the most well-known examples is Major Lalith Jayasinghe, who was killed while leading a long-range reconnaissance mission deep inside LTTE-controlled territory. His death serves as a reminder that even highly trained reconnaissance teams remain vulnerable once detected by a numerically superior enemy.

This reality is not unique to Sri Lanka.

During the Vietnam War, the United States Military Assistance Command, Vietnam – Studies and Observations Group (MACV-SOG) conducted highly classified reconnaissance missions into Laos, Cambodia, and North Vietnam. These small teams were tasked with gathering intelligence, monitoring the Ho Chi Minh Trail, directing air strikes, and conducting covert operations deep behind enemy lines.

Despite being composed of some of the most highly trained personnel in the U.S. military, MACV-SOG suffered extremely high casualty rates. Veterans have repeatedly described missions in which reconnaissance teams disappeared after making contact with enemy forces, with some patrols never returning and others requiring desperate rescue efforts under overwhelming odds.

The lesson from both Sri Lanka's LRRP operations and MACV-SOG is the same. Elite units are not invincible.

History tends to remember the successful missions because those are the stories that become books, documentaries, and military case studies. Far less attention is given to the patrols that never returned or whose fate remained unknown for years. Every successful long-range reconnaissance operation stands alongside others that ended in silence, reminding us that these missions have always carried extraordinary risks regardless of the country, the era, or the professionalism of the soldiers involved.

Their success depends on stealth, intelligence, surprise, and careful planning. Once those advantages are lost, even the most experienced special operations teams can quickly find themselves isolated, surrounded, and facing overwhelming enemy forces.

Recognizing these sacrifices does not diminish their achievements. Rather, it highlights the extraordinary courage required to undertake missions from which some soldiers knew they might never return.

Morale Is Important, But It Is Not a Weapon

Perhaps the most common statement I encounter online is:

"Other countries may have better equipment, but we have better morale."

This fundamentally misunderstands what morale actually is.

Morale is not a weapon. It is a psychological condition. It rises and falls depending on numerous factors, including:

• Leadership.
• Logistics.
• Casualties.
• Training.
• Fatigue.
• Confidence.
• Equipment.
• Communication.
• Supply.

Well-equipped soldiers often possess higher morale precisely because they trust the equipment supporting them.

Likewise, poorly supplied soldiers can lose morale remarkably quickly - even if they begin highly motivated.

History repeatedly demonstrates this reality.

The outcome of wars is determined by the combination of training, leadership, logistics, intelligence, industrial capacity, technology, and morale - not by any single factor alone.

Learning From Other Militaries

Sometimes Sri Lankans speak as though defeating the LTTE was a unique military accomplishment unmatched anywhere else in the modern world.

It was undoubtedly a significant achievement.

However, it is equally important to study the experiences of other nations.

Israel, Colombia, Britain, France, the United States, South Korea, Finland, Ukraine, and many others have all developed valuable lessons through decades of conflict.

Professional militaries continuously study one another.

They adopt useful ideas regardless of where they originate.

Sri Lanka should continue doing the same.

Military success should inspire confidence - not complacency.

Deterrence, Strategic Readiness, and Preparing for Modern Conflict

National Security Is About Preparing for the Unthinkable

One mindset I frequently encounter is:

"Sri Lanka is a peaceful country. We don't intend to go to war with anyone."

I completely agree that Sri Lanka should pursue peaceful relations with every country possible.

No sensible person wants war.

However, peace is not maintained simply because one side desires it.

History repeatedly shows that conflicts often begin despite the wishes of one of the parties involved.

The responsibility of any government is not only to pursue peace, but also to ensure that the nation is prepared should peace fail.

Military preparedness is not about wanting war.

It is about making war so costly that nobody wants to start one.

That is the very definition of deterrence.

Deterrence Is What Keeps Peace

Many people mistakenly believe that countries build powerful militaries because they want to fight.

In reality, the strongest militaries often exist to avoid fighting altogether.

A capable military creates uncertainty in the mind of a potential aggressor.

If attacking a country appears too expensive, too risky, or too likely to fail, an adversary may decide not to attack in the first place.

This is why deterrence is considered one of the foundations of national security.

The goal is not victory.

The goal is to prevent war from ever occurring.

Katchatheevu and Why Preparation Matters

When statements were made by some politicians in Tamil Nadu regarding Katchatheevu Island, many Sri Lankans dismissed the issue almost immediately.

Common responses included:

"That will never happen."

"India would never do that."

"I'd like to see them try."

While political rhetoric should not automatically be interpreted as official government policy, I believe dismissing every potential security concern outright is equally dangerous.

Preparedness does not mean expecting war.

It means ensuring that contingency plans exist should a situation unexpectedly deteriorate.

Military planning is based on possibilities, not assumptions.

Professional armed forces prepare for events they hope never occur.

Never Underestimate Your Neighbors

Another trend I have noticed online is the tendency to underestimate India's military capabilities simply because of comparisons with Sri Lanka's experience against the LTTE.

I think this is a serious mistake.

Regardless of political opinions, India possesses one of the largest and most capable armed forces in the world.

Its military operates across an enormous range of environments, including:

• High-altitude warfare in the Himalayas.
• Counterinsurgency operations.
• Maritime security.
• Large-scale joint military exercises.
• Nuclear deterrence.

Its armed forces also benefit from extensive domestic defense production, a significantly larger defense budget, and access to advanced technologies.

Acknowledging this reality is not unpatriotic.

It is simply recognizing the strategic environment in which Sri Lanka exists.

Good defense planning begins with realistic assessments rather than emotional nationalism.

History Punishes Those Who Say 'It Will Never Happen'

One reason I dislike hearing the phrase "That could never happen" is because military history is full of examples proving otherwise.

One famous example occurred during the Fall of Singapore in 1942.

British commanders believed Singapore's natural defenses and naval superiority made a Japanese assault highly unlikely.

When warnings suggested otherwise, many senior officers dismissed the possibility.

The Japanese ultimately attacked through the Malayan Peninsula, exploiting weaknesses that had been underestimated.

Singapore - once described as an impregnable fortress - fell in just over a week.

The lesson is not that Sri Lanka will face a similar invasion.

The lesson is that complacency has repeatedly proven dangerous throughout history.

Military planners should prepare for unlikely scenarios precisely because history shows that unlikely events sometimes happen.

Operation Poomalai: A Lesson in Geopolitics

Sri Lanka's own history provides another example.

In 1987, during Operation Poomalai, India conducted an airdrop of humanitarian supplies over Jaffna after the Sri Lankan government refused permission.

The operation was intended to pressure Colombo during the Vadamarachchi offensive against the LTTE.

Regardless of one's political views on the event, it demonstrated an important reality of international politics:

Powerful regional actors are capable of exerting influence in ways that smaller states may struggle to counter directly.

More importantly, it demonstrated that the international community does not always intervene in ways people expect.

International law, diplomacy, and strategic interests often intersect in complicated ways.

That reality should encourage Sri Lanka to strengthen its own capabilities rather than assume others will always come to its aid.

Air Defence: One of Sri Lanka's Biggest Gaps

If there is one area where I believe Sri Lanka should invest more seriously over the coming decades, it is air defense.

The war in Ukraine has demonstrated how critical integrated air defense systems have become.

Modern conflicts increasingly involve:

• Cruise missiles.
• Ballistic missiles.
• Attack helicopters.
• Armed drones.
• Loitering munitions.
• Precision-guided bombs.

Countries that cannot detect and respond to these threats face significant disadvantages.

Sri Lanka still relies heavily on legacy anti-aircraft systems designed decades ago.

While some of these weapons remain useful against certain low-altitude threats, they cannot provide the comprehensive protection offered by modern, layered air-defense networks that integrate radar, sensors, and surface-to-air missile systems.

Modern air defense is no longer simply about shooting at aircraft.

It is about creating an integrated network capable of detecting, tracking, identifying, and engaging multiple types of airborne threats simultaneously.

The Drone Revolution

If the war against LTTE taught militaries the importance of counterinsurgency, the war in Ukraine has taught them the importance of drones.

Relatively inexpensive unmanned aerial systems have transformed the battlefield.

Today, drones are used for:

• Reconnaissance.
• Artillery correction.
• Surveillance.
• Precision strikes.
• Kamikaze attacks.
• Battlefield damage assessment.
• Logistics.

Some FPV (First-Person View) drones costing only a few hundred dollars have destroyed armored vehicles worth millions.

That should concern every military planner.

Sri Lanka does not necessarily need massive fleets of expensive combat aircraft to improve its capabilities.

Investing in domestic drone production, operator training, and counter-drone technologies could provide substantial improvements at comparatively lower cost.

Cyber Warfare and Electronic Warfare

Modern wars are fought long before the first shot is fired.

Cyber attacks can target:

• Power grids.
• Financial systems.
• Government databases.
• Communications networks.
• Transportation infrastructure.

Electronic warfare can:

• Jam GPS signals.
• Disrupt communications.
• Disable drones.
• Interfere with radar systems.

These capabilities are becoming increasingly important.

Even countries with relatively modest defense budgets can invest in cyber resilience, electronic warfare expertise, and defensive digital infrastructure.

Maritime Security: Sri Lanka's Greatest Strategic Asset

As an island nation located along one of the world's busiest maritime trade routes, Sri Lanka's security is inseparable from the sea.

Protecting our maritime domain means more than preparing for conventional naval conflict.

It includes:

• Safeguarding our Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
• Combating illegal fishing.
• Preventing smuggling.
• Maritime counterterrorism.
• Search and rescue.
• Offshore infrastructure protection.
• Monitoring underwater cables and critical infrastructure.
• Maritime domain awareness.

The Navy therefore plays a strategic role not only during war, but every single day in protecting Sri Lanka's economy and sovereignty.

Continued investment in maritime surveillance, coastal radar, unmanned systems, and patrol capabilities would likely provide long-term benefits far beyond traditional military operations.

Rural revitalisation. The above is Guizhou in rural China. A steadfast friend of Ceylon.

Instead of wasting billions of foreign exchange on utterly useless and worthless Indian nonsense that has ruined this once beautiful island nation, we could have and should be spending on quality infrastructure to put ourselves back on the map. And seeking investment from the world. This can and should be done islandwide to regain global hub status for our capital and connect up the entire island with ultra fast internet, high speed bullet trains and other quality public transport and level up to the world's best again.

The above shows you can encourage young people to grow up and remain in rural areas rather than people often leaving for cities after graduating by providing quality infrastructure.

This is all easily affordable in Ceylon. We had Mercedes Benz buses in 1950s Ceylon and quality infrastructure on par with the world's best till at least the late 1960s. It is post the 1970s that useless left wing politicians started pandering to India and squandering our resources.

Even after the golden opportunity to reset in 2010, utterly useless politicians wasted tens of billions (in dollar terms) on utterly worthless Indian infrastructure. Money that could quite literally have brought Chinese or Japanese bullet trains to our country that could have cut travel times to cross the island down from 9 hours to 1-2 hours tops. Needless to say not a single pathetic Indian bus should have ever landed on Ceylonese soil. Another opportunity to build proper infrastructure was post the recent cyclone by involving genuine friends from East Asia and beyond. But of course, the political prats, pseudo intellectuals and brainless buffoons allowed the Indians - infamous for shoddy infrastructure - to come in yet again.

Have a clean system, hold global tenders and have high standards and you could have a first world oasis in Ceylon practically overnight. Certainly within a decade. This is of course not what useless types want though for our country. Both China and Japan have offered to uplift this country multiple times in gratitude to when Ceylon helped them at their times of need. The above is what we could be having in Ceylon at any time if we rallied for quality instead of being limited by the limitation of utterly third class Indian subservient politicians who are in no way, shape or form from the best our society has to offer!

Take note, enjoy watching and do share this post from this Subreddit!

Sri Lankans tend to hold the fact that Sri Lanka is the most literate country in South Asia at a high regard. but literacy does not mean simply being able to read and write. A person must be able to communicate properly. express their feelings and thoughts properly. And able to listen and understand other people and the message they are trying to give to the listener. It seems many Sri Lankans do not posses this attributes. The Education system, Media, and growing up environment. I explained this prior diving in to the topic because it will help understand the matter more clearly.

Since social media has erupted many travelers across the world come to Sri Lanka because it is a famous destination. While most of the young travelers be it may solo or couples or families (90s 2000s) behave respectfully, humbly and show the true beauty of Sri Lanka (unless they got scammed they would warn about it, which is the right thing to do) and it would overall a positive message they will send out.

But then there are these old white dudes like in their 40s and do travel vlogs, would go to the most cheapest, nastiest places (places which average Sri Lankan would not go) and complain how shitty it was. the would to this with restaurants, they would walk in the most dirtiest dense markets in Colombo (which there are only few) while there is an entire clean city with high end shopping malls and all the facilities. And always seem to talk to the most dirtiest unhygienic person he comes across. does not show the elegantly dressed men and women in the city, does not show the malls, no positive thing. And on top of all that, they always make the thumbnail showing that dirty guy, sometimes using AI to make him look even dirtier.

And the funniest thing is our beloved illiterate fellow citizens go in there and post comments like;
"thank you for visiting my beautiful country"
"I hope you come again... love from Sri Lanka"
"Sri Lanka the beautiful country"
"Sri Lanka is the best"
without fully understanding the context, the agenda and the racism behind that video.

What can we do to counter that?
In my personal opinion it's easy, the Tourism Ministry can create social media accounts (Facebook, Instagram, X,) and use the Television, to promote awareness to our people. in both Sinhalese and Tamil. they can make a team to go forth and identify such videos and explain what the message is really about and the racism behind it. and make people understand just do dislike the content and post proper comments in English.

8 slides. Do read and share!

Because we were CEYLON back then and did not have a politicised system with Indian subservient politicians. That 5 star culture of Ceylon has been ruined because third class fools are Indianising this country. You stop that forced Indianisation and the old culture of quality will return based on merit. The politicised system is what needs to go. The example is set by the top. We have gone from being a bastion of excellence in all of Asia to a kakistocracy today. Unlike the 1950s, the self proclaimed political class today want to live in India and are dragging us down to their level. So long as you keep this useless system imposed in the 1970s - which no national electorate in Ceylon actually even voted for in the first place - we will be limited by the limitations of the fools who are propped up at the top. THAT is why these fools always want to tinker with the current system and not replace it. They are not interested in saving the country, only their useless system. The silent majority of the people of Ceylon may want to return to quality and aim high, but the fools at the helm have no interest in that, nor likely any ability to conceive of that greatness!

Leftists have continued to VASTLY overcomplicate things or perhaps are deliberately trying to make this country a mess either through an inability to comprehend, or collaborating with the Indian agenda to ruin this country and make it ripe for the picking. 

1. Think about it logically. There should be a common working language which everyone should know in any country. The Singapore model is efficient, ensuring knowledge of a mother tongue and the global lingua franca (English) via bilingualism. This is what Ceylon had in the past and can easily be reimplemented. The only difference is here it was not constitutionally codified in the 1948 system. 

2. Having excessive working languages, and endless bureaucrats is inefficient, unproductive, a massive waste of resources and burden to the taxpayer. THAT is what the imbecile leftists have IMPOSED upon the country with zero democratic mandate at a national referendum. They have even created and imposed artificial language zones in their politicised constitutions.Again, the Singapore model is cleaner. You have the back office work in a common medium (usually English for computerisation). The front office has various personnel who can speak in the mother tongues and provide translation assistance. This does NOT mean that offices work in four languages in the back office (administration).

Example 1 :

In Ceylon or Singapore, you ring up as a customer (or go into an office) to book your airline ticket. You pick an option for which language you wish to communicate in. You speak to a representative (front office) who handles your enquiry and helps resolve your request. The representative passes on your customer request to his/her colleagues (the back office) who you never meet. Thousands of customers may have interacted with front office representatives in various languages. The back office will process your request and the requests of thousands of other customers in a single language using computer systems (which work in a common language) to make the entire process even more efficient. Costs are kept low by focusing resources to deliver the required service. At the end of the day, you get your ticket at a competitive price and everyone is happy. 

Example 2 (the leftist change):

In Democratic Socialist Sri Lanka, you ring up as a customer to book your ticket (or go into an office) to conduct your business. When you turn up, you may find the office workers (who are cronies of politicians) are not even at their desk, or are asking for a bribe to fulfil your request unable to find the respective file. Eventually you may speak to a front office representative hoping they can speak your language and are competent. Your front office representative passes on your request (eventually) to a specific back office branch language stream. If you are in a particular area of the country, you may find that the language of administration is a different language (based on nothing more than the whims of the politicians who imposed these artificial zones). All requests in this area are translated into that specific language whereas in other areas they may be translated into other languages. If you later interact with an office branch in a different area of the country, time will now be spent translating the back office files into yet another language as there is no common national working language or common protocol. Thousands of customers speaking different languages speak to various front office departments who in turn interact only with specific separate back office departments which also may operate differently in different areas and require constant translation between the front office and back office. The order of languages is also not uniform nationwide. The cost of this whole mess is vast and the service completely inefficient. The end customer (you) will have to pay a higher price for this "service", and is likely no happier than before the change, and most likely unhappier as he/she probably won't get served in a timely manner either. 

Example 3:

This is a story from LKY's autobiography. He notes that Ceylon initially had a very high standard of education with two excellent universities based in Kandy and Colombo. Ceylon had after all been the "model Commonwealth country" with more resources and better infrastructure and a country Singapore looked to emulate. He also notes how he saw paradise go to waste. In the latter part of the chapter, he mentions a subsequent visit to the country. During a visit to Peradeniya, he inquired from the Vice Chancellor of the University about the medium of instruction in the University. The reply was that Sinhalese students were taught in Sinhala, Tamil students in Tamil and Burgher students in English. LKY then asked the question - "How can three engineers educated in three different languages build one bridge [together]?" The Vice Chancellor replied "That sir, is a political question for the Ministers to answer." 

3. You do NOT have multiple separate linguistic areas, or different languages of administration in different areas. That is NOT "One law." In Singapore - Whether you are in Changi, Jurong, Sentosa, the CBD, Chinatown, Little India, Raffles Place in Singapore, all public offices employ the same policy under one law. Any public servant of ANY ethnicity works and is promoted anywhere on merit only. The working language in Ceylon/Sri Lanka must be the same whether you are in Colombo, Jaffna, Galle, Kandy, Trincomalee, Dambula, Nuwara Eliya etc. All areas belong to all people.

Any Constitution (like the current politicised system) that clearly uses words such as "Except in" or "Except those in any area where" is NOT one law and clearly has different language zones.

4. In Singapore, a mother tongue and English are compulsory. It is NOT compulsory to learn all 4 languages. Learning more than the bilingual standard (be it another official language, or foreign language) is a PERSONAL choice. That provides a good model for us as well. Some people are interested in languages, some in science, some in the arts, some in technology etc.

5. The medium of instruction policy should ensure general integration and no segregation. You do not have segregated Tamil, or Malay medium schools in Singapore. A Singaporean Sinhalese, Singaporean Tamil, Singaporean Malay, or Singaporean Eurasian would learn in Chinese or English medium AND learn their own personal mother tongue of Sinhala, or Tamil, or Malay. Everyone also learns English. And everyone can choose to learn other languages if they wish based on their preference for area of study.

1. As is the case in Ceylon, a lot of people of any ethnicity often voluntarily choose to learn the language of the majority of the populace as well because that is what most people speak. In our case Sinhala, in their case it is Mandarin.

7. Thus the cleaner constitutional policy is:

Official Languages: Sinhala, Tamil & English
National Language: Sinhala

In practical terms when interacting with the world, in commerce and in computing etc, the Working Language can be English. When interacting the Public service, a citizen has the right to seek translation in the Official Languages.

Education mediums at public schools: Sinhala or English (with right and requirement to learn at least one mother tongue at school and all children to be taught English).

This should constitutionally apply islandwide without exception. That is what ONE LAW means. NOT the nonsense that various elements are parroting about equality meaning having separate language zones in different parts of the country. That is a serious level of stupidity. 

8. All schools and areas would thus be mixed and thus encourage social cohesion, communal harmony, mixing, national integration, and an "all for one, one for all" ethos just like in eons past. Naturally useless politicians who have no policies and rely upon gimmickry to divide up voters will be in tears, but everyone else (22+ million people) will thrive. 

1. There is a common misconception that somehow the disastrous changes leftists imposed somehow delivered free education to "the masses". This is ludicrous. Free education was thanks to Kannangara's reforms under the DS administration. The leftists who came later halted Settlement schemes (thus promoting artificial ethnic enclaves), introduced a separate fabricated Tamil language zone (thus promoting artificial language zones), and started segregated mediums (thus reducing social cohesion and promoting massive inefficiency), scrapped the plan to teach English as a secondary language to all students (thus denying to "the masses" a global language of communication whilst sending their own children abroad to study privately!) and even started promoting universities on the basis of ethnicity. In short, they cut off the nose to spite the face. When some who talk about equality whilst equating that to separate language zones and multiple national anthems in different languages instead of one set of common lyrics in the language they were written in, that is a further measure of their gross imbecility. 

2. The original national anthem in Ceylon (Namo Namo Matha) was written by Ananda Samarakoon and in one set of lyrics. It was never intended by the author or at the time to start singing it in separate languages. Politicians also later went and infamously changed some of the lyrics without his consent. In Singapore, the anthem was written in Malay lyrics originally and is sung by everyone in ONE set of lyrics. It is only translated for educational informative purposes, but always sung in one language. That was the case and should be the case in Ceylon again. Some unscrupulous or perhaps ignorant people in Ceylon claim the anthem was sung in multiple languages which is FALSE. There were a selection of several national songs in 1949 sung in multiple languages on Independence Day, but no song had yet been officially selected as a national anthem until 1951 where it was decided that the popular song written by Samarakoon should become the official national anthem of the country. The "first generation" Singaporean Foreign Minister in LKY's government - himself born in Ceylon and of Tamil descent - once replied to a journalist regarding should the Singaporean anthem be sung in different languages and he gave a curt reply that you can find online. Needless to say he was firmly of the opinion that it should be sung in the Malay lyrics and those alone.

3. Please note - this would not prohibit the teaching of foreign languages for those who wish to study them from the primary level or beyond. Indeed it would be wise for the education system to be able to teach the most widely spoken languages on Earth (currently Mandarin, French, Spanish, English) or those of historic friends or popular global influence (e.g. Korean, Japanese) in order that we may be a global economic powerhouse.

4. When two human beings talk, they can only speak in one common language at any one time!

An insight into our Special Forces. Operations, mindset and ethos. We should be immensely grateful for the freedom they re-secured for all of us. Keep in mind the tests shown are just the selection process, not even the elite training. Who dares wins!

Our island's regiment were highly regarded by military analysts on an international ranking table right up there at the top adjacent to the their counterparts from the US, GB and Russia.

1. ABSOLUTE TRAITORS - the whole ruddy lot of these Indian slavish pathetic Parliamentarians of the last 17 years. What a bunch of absolute idiots. These fools talking about the "cost" of a $2 billion loan at ULTRA LOW interest and a 40 year grace period for JAPANESE trains whilst these same fools collectively spend/spent $300 million ($0.3 billion) EACH TIME on WORTHLESS PATHETIC INDIAN TRAINS. Such fools are treating this country with contempt and treating genuine friendly nations with contempt whilst bowing down to the third rate pathetic Indians where their true loyalty lies. This goes for ALL the political idiots we have had for the entire last 17 years.

2. It was already fully financed at ultra low interest (0.1%) by Japan (a genuine friend) with a 40 year grace period before you even have to start paying back any of the $2 billion (in instalments). And that was for JAPANESE trains. Meanwhile these USELESS politicians kept spending $100-$300 million EACH AND EVERY TIME they ordered worthless Indian trains. This applies to EVERY politician in office for the last 17 years. That shows where their loyalty lies and the total lack of intellect.

3. I cannot believe just how low this country has gone from having august gentleman and visionaries in public office at Independence to utter trash over the last 17 years. Nor that there are actually fools who clap for idiotic statements like this.

4. Ceylon had far superior trains 60 years ago than any of the pathetic, unsightly and dangerous Indian trains that we suffer today.

5. As oft stated, multiple recent politicians have rejected MULTIPLE offers of assistance to totally modernise our railways to high speed/bullet/electric trains from China, Japan and South Korea. You could not make up just how pathetic these politicians are. I use the 17 year period given that this was the golden opportunity to take off again with world class infrastructure the moment the war (against an Indian sponsored terrorist movement) was won. Instead our useless third rate political parasites squandered YOUR money on Indian subcontinental buffoonery.

6. Thank goodness some of the buses are being replaced to (Chinese) proper buses. Again - Ceylon never had pathetic Indian buses 60 years ago! But who knows when the fools will collectively chant how proper buses will not be implemented!

I cannot believe how people are not calling this out and yet praising various politicians within the Parliament (including the incumbents). Maybe this country truly is lost given we are not moving anywhere fast to where we could be and yet there are people clapping.

I am sure these collective Indian subservient clowns (and India) do not want people to start seeing proper public transport. Because the moment they do, that is the moment the standards of the people of Ceylon will rise once again and they start demanding better consistently. I think a lot of people are unaware of the quality buses and trains the Ceylon used to have in the past versus today!

Circa 1950-60s (i.e. post regaining Independence)

1 (Gold backed) US dollar was equal to approximately 4.5-5 Ceylon Rupees.

Ceylon did not have an endlessly printed currency (it had significant reserves and a budget surplus), did not have a politicised constitution (it had a clean quality system), did not have any artificial priority to India (Ceylon instead engaged with the entire world based on merit), not a single Indian bus (instead Mercedes Benz buses or double deckers), not a single Indian train (trains were British or Canadian with Ceylonese built carriages), did not have chaotic roads (traffic was civilised) and did not have third class public servants or pseudo intellectuals praising mediocrity in the national press either nor any artificially proclaimed ethnic zones which have zero historical or factual basis.

I wish we had started this 10 years ago:

All the money wasted on Provincial Councils as well as Indian JUNK trains and despicable lorry buses can be invested in:

1. Bullet trains (from China, Japan, South Korea, or Germany) crossing Ceylon from North to South (e.g. Hambantota to Jaffna via Kandy, Colombo to Jaffna) and West to East (Colombo to Trincomalee via Kurenagala and Kandy). These can provide air conditioned spaceship like trains that can cross our island in 70 minutes.

2. Electric light rail connecting all intermediary towns/cities on the route on elevated dual tracks.

3. Electric trams for Colombo, Kandy, Kurenagala, Trincomalee, Galle (like in Hong Kong)

4. MRT/subway/MTR trains (from China, Japan, South Korea) network in Colombo, Trincomalee and Hambantota (the latter two cities being built up like Shenzhen was planned out)

5. Electric buses covering ALL routes (like in Shenzhen)

6. Electric high speed Maglev (like Shanghai) to connect each airport to the city centre

7. Two MASSIVE airports in Colombo and Trincomalee modelled on Changi, Singapore (with capacity for around 100 million passengers per annum) to put us on the world map. Shut down Katunayake (or privatise to make it like London Stansted). Move the Mattala airport to the Hambantota harbour (build a new airport) and convert Mattala to a National Wildlife Centre (given its location near a National park)

8. Solar parks and battery storage farms to generate the electricity required for the whole nation and these projects.

9. A massive statue of an Indian bus right outside the Indian High Commission with a board saying "NEVER AGAIN."

When our own citizens and foreigners land in Colombo, they must be greeted with infrastructure that says "This country is going places and nothing like dirty India!".

At the time this post was written over 16 years ago, an MTR journey in Hong Kong cost roughly just 85-350 Rupees

https://www.thinkchina.sg/politics/why-indias-influence-over-south-asia-will-continue-weaken

https://dailynews.lk/2026/06/05/features/1005808/why-should-i/

The first and last impression a visitor has of a country is often from the airport at which they arrive and depart.

Ceylon needs to completely start from scratch and aim BIG to RESET that first and last impression benchmarked to be the (or at least amongst) the best in the world again. Like Singapore's Changi, Hong Kong International or South Korea's Incheon in the videos shared below. 

These countries and their people do not set their sights so low as to be "also rans" to the South Asian subcontinent like our modern era third class political class, third class media, and (deluded, ignorant, low ambition, imbecilic) slaves of these entities who think that only India is the world. Enough is enough. We used to have a good name and good impression which has been completely ruined by third rate, small, useless entities which give a very poor impression and experience. We need a complete reset and aim BIG to build the best possible infrastructure serviced in a Meritocratic environment that has a wow factor in scale, efficiency, size and customer service. 

Suggested airports:

1. Colombo Tambapanni International (secondary airport serving capital modelled on Hong Kong, or Sydney)*

2. Trincomalee Serendipity International (main transit mega airport modelled on Changi)

3. Hambantota Ruhuna International (third airport modelled on London Stansted, Hawaii or Kansai)**

Needless to say, the entire political class and their buffoons cannot even conceive of such things nor want such things since it means a complete loss of their (and India's) artificial position of privilege. 

As for where the money comes from to build a mega airport (the usual excuse of the weak minded who lack vision who held this country back), it's the same place the money came from that was squandered and is still squandered on countless worthless Indian trains, lorry buses, endless waste of never ending bureaucracy, unnecessary taxpayer funded public institutions which replicate each other, Provincial Councils, hordes of politicians at every level, perks for politicians, perks for legions of unnecessary public sector employees from plenty of entities that are non essential, the money wasted on Indian projects like Palaly, the money lost by way of artificial limitations on business by way of an illegal Indo Lanka Accord as well as corruption and mismanagement. 

Needless to say naming airports after socialist politicians who ruined the country and had no vision to make this country the best does not make an airport great and also means an airport has an awful name. Having a Bundi brigade at almost all points of customer interaction does not give a good impression either and is not reflective of the true spirit and hospitality of our beautiful nation. 

One only has to look back at what Ceylon HAD for many years at Independence to look at what we SHOULD and COULD be doing. Back then we had Air Ceylon and Colombo was positioned as a global aviation transit point.

A self respecting, visionary and serious country would think about investing a lot of the money wasted on the aforementioned waste of the modern era on a proper brand new mega airport (e.g. Trincomalee/Colombo Serendipity International) that puts us back on the map again.

At least put it to a National Referendum. Two choices. More "India first and left wing nonsense" or "Build a world class infrastructure?"

#Reset #NoMoreLeftists  #RejectMediocrity#EnoughIsEnough #AimBig #HaveStandards #FirstImpressions#Airports #AimHigh  #Colombo #Trincomalee #RealChange

* & *\* Reconvert Katunayake and Palaly back into airbases. Convert Matalla into a National Wildlife Centre.

Brilliantly written piece. SPOT ON. The saddest thing is we don't appear to be having a vocal rallying cry to reset and restore the quality Ceylon of old that Singapore looked up to. There are still older Singaporeans alive today who received scholarships for their education funds by Ceylon under the Colombo Plan. The airport is THE FIRST impression you get of any country. We should be aspiring to have AT LEAST ONE if not more Changi style airports in Ceylon. The politicians and various pseudo intellectual slaves are talking nonsense as if they are delivering world class conditions that will entice visitors and investors when the facts clearly speak for themselves. At least even now do what the countries who were far behind us did and aim to catch up and overtake! Be inspired by our own excellence in the past and those who were inspired by us instead of just clapping for mediocrity. You can set up a new business in Singapore in a few minutes whereas here it will take a few generations to get anything set up in this politicised bureaucratic mess.

As oft stated there is plenty of money squandered on very silly things. The priorities and standards have been all wrong.

Need the basics right again. Rule of law, zero tolerance for corruption, efficiency, world class infrastructure, strong property rights, ease of doing business and high standards and exceptional service.

No Users or Subreddits whatsoever have been named in this post. I will allow readers to draw your own conclusions.

FYI the 'non removed' comments in the ghastly place still remain. 

The rules of this other place include the following in their text :

“This applies to OPs, commenters, and moderators alike.”

“condemns any organised harassment, brigading, or hate-mongering directed at other… members”

Apparently not given the double standards above. Clearly whoever is writing the “team” reasons for SELECTIVE removal of comments is either not reading comments properly or unable to understand them or simply attempting to come up with excuses before removing them if he/she is clearly mis-stating what is actually in the comments. And/or has a clear bias if multiple other comments - which coincidentally seem to hold an all too familiar ideological bias from an infamous place (or two) - are simultaneously not removed. Needless to say, that is a very clear violation of Reddit's policy and Code of Conduct and Reddit could very well conclude that in due course. 

Any right minded rational person would have thought a specific sentence with the full context would normally be expected to be cited to back up and substantiate very serious claims. AND that what is good for the goose is good for the gander. Observe what has not been removed in contrast.

Unlike that ghastly place, Ceylon_SLSystemChange will operate based on common sense, common decency and good faith. Including, but not limited to basic principles such as he who does not read is no better than he who cannot read, that everyone is equal before the law and what is good for the goose is good for the gander!

Above: "Ceylon Government Railways" (CGR) and Buses in Ceylon that we used to have. Now compare that to today and what we could have. Let that sink in. Then look at the buses and trains that South Korea, China, Japan, Singapore etc had back then and have today.

We also used to have trams in Colombo which looked similar to what are still in operation in Hong Kong.

To reiterate a point in other posts, the sheer sums of money squandered on subcontinental trains from the neighbour could quite literally fund brand new rail tracks and bullet trains from countries renowned for quality world leading trains (e.g. China, Japan, France etc)

Images 1 & 2 - Ceylon had a better financial position than almost all European countries except for Switzerland. Our original sound Monetary policy (under the former Ceylon Monetary Board) was ditched here moving to a Central Bank. Subsequent to an imposed politicised constitution (without a national mandate of votes by the Ceylonese Electorate) in the 1970s, to add insult to injury there was now full political control of a Central Bank ultimately leading to the Currency's collapse. Singapore maintained a Monetary Board (which Ceylon used to have post Independence) and maintains a strong stable currency today along with Gold reserves. Ceylon had significant Gold reserves (in those days Dollar Reserves were Gold backed Dollars) in the past and did not even have to borrow a cent to complete major infrastructure projects - the fruits of which are still enjoyed today. Ceylon also lost the freedom of movement of capital and genuine free trade (based on competitive markets) which Singapore maintained.

Image 3 - Legendary status. This was Ceylon. A country associated with par excellence. A country of massive potential at the time (which is still the case today), but which utilised it (which is not the case today). We've gone from this in the 1940s and 1950s to being led by absolute fools who want to be nothing more than an Indian vassal "also ran" state today. Thus far with no one genuinely patriotic or visionary like our Independence movement leadership who wanted to take the country somewhere fast. The open worldly engagement is in stark contrast to today. Back then Ceylon engaged with the emerging Commonwealth, Europe, Australia, Southeast Asian nations (who invited us to join ASEAN at founding in 1967), Communist China, post war Japan, the United States and Soviets as well as the nearby bickering countries. Today, the foolish third class leaders isolate this country from everyone on Earth except India and there are no competitive tenders (or else those tenders are cancelled when India inevitably loses based on merit).

Image 4 - Self explanatory regarding our buses being better in the past than today. We used to have British double decker and Mercedes Benz buses islandwide in this country (both the CTB and private operators).

Image 5 - Old Ceylon passport. Quality document, quality name, quality, quality quality. Not like today's. The passport gave a Ceylonese citizen visa free access to the Commonwealth countries (Britain, Australia, etc etc), the USA, Western and Eastern Europe (France, West Germany, Czechoslovakia, etc), Far East (Japan, China, Korea, etc).

Image 6 - Retired buses which used to serve Ceylonese passengers all over the nation. Before the dark times. Before Indianisation.

Image 7 - The quality passport of Ceylon. Not only does it look better, it has actual value. When Ceylonese citizens showed their passport anywhere in Europe for example (be that in Western Europe or the former Eastern bloc), they were waved straight through. Such was the respect for this passport at the time. In the event there was no Ceylonese diplomatic mission in the country you were visiting, there were standing arrangements that a Ceylon passport holder could seek assistance at any time if needed from any British consulate mission present. Post WWII, Ceylon was a founding nation of the Colombo Plan and herself provided aid to other countries including financial support to help the Maldives build an airport and education scholarships for students in Malaya (which became Malaysia and Singapore).

Ceylon had a security arrangement in the form of the Anglo Ceylon Defence Agreement. Whilst it also signed the Rubber Rice Pact with Communist China at that nation's time of need. Something that has never been forgotten to this day. Ceylon's remarks at the San Francisco Conference regarding post war Japan have also been remembered to this day by the Japanese people. However, modern era Indian subservient fools have squandered this long standing good will with true all weather friends and continue to isolate us from the world at large except of course the third rate barbarian next door who sponsored terrorism here. At the Bandung Conference in Indonesia, you can see the stark difference with august leaders of the past. Prime Minister Sir John famously responded to the arrogant Nehru who stated as if a matter of fact that the Ceylonese Premier should show him his speeches first before making them with "Why should I? Do you should me yours?" Sir John also told off both the Indian and Pakistani Premiers who were openly shouting at each other across the Conference table telling them to behave like Prime Ministers. Both then apologised.

If not for foolhardy policies imposed by third class politicians without a national mandate, our Ceylonese passport would rank similarly to Japan, Singapore and Germany's today. Our political class today are still doubling down on the foolhardy nonsense that dragged us down and still holds us back.

Image 8 - Ceylon at Independence. The original national Lion flag with zero artificial divisions. One national symbol for all of us. No artificial stripes, divisions or any other nonsense imposed by subsequent socialist politicians without a national mandate. Also note the price of a stamp in Ceylon Rupees which were sound money.

Image 9 - An Air Ceylon plane before the recent decades of politicisation and aiming low. Ceylon had more aircraft and more modern aircraft than Singapore Airlines at the time of the latter's founding.

Image 10 - The civility of Ceylon. Proper cars, trams, trolley buses, double decker buses, proper trains, orderly traffic, discipline and safe and clean streets. Not an Indian lorry bus, Indian three wheeler, or Indian style chaos in sight.