India got into conflict with JR’s government when JR’s government decided to lease oil tanks in Trincomalee to a Singaporean company. Not only JR’s government, Sri Lanka’s first Prime Minister DS, then Dudley, Sri Johan’s Premadasa governments all tried to get Western nations’ investments and develop the country. Two Bandaranayake’s (Mr. and Mrs.) governments wanted the then Soviet Union the present Russian Federation to invest and develop the country. Past governments never thought to line up with India and form strategies to develop the country. Chandrika, who assumed office in 1994, Mahinda in 2005, and later Maithripala and Gotabhaya all wanted to develop the country with the help of Western nations or China.
Right wing UNP as well as left wing SLFP Sri Lankan government leaders had a special expectation towards Japan to develop Sri Lanka. These leaders were reluctant to accept Indian investment and enter into investment agreements with India due to anti-Indian sentiments. After Sri Lanka was declared bankrupt, the only and the first investor Adani’s wind power project too rejected by Anura’s government.
In a recent IMF report said India has become the fourth largest economy in the world. World’s fourth largest economy being very closer proximity to Sri Lanka is an advantage which was never being before.
Sri Lanka was anticipating investments to develop the country with the aid of 4th largest economy Japan but now India has displaced Japan and become the 4th largest economy.
When India overtook Great Britten in the economically powerful nations list Sri Lanka did not realize the advantage of it, however it is not late for Sri Lanka to open its eyes and get a ‘road map’ to go ahead and develop the nation with India.
