Sri Lanka Coal Tender Controversy (2025–2026)

 

Sri Lanka Coal Tender Controversy (2025–2026) 

Trident Chemphar won a major tender to supply 1.5 million metric tonnes (25 shipments) of coal to the Lanka Coal Company (LCC) for the 2025–2026 season at a price of $98.50 per MT. However, the contract has faced significant scrutiny: 

• Quality Failures: Multiple shipments from South Africa allegedly failed quality tests conducted by the independent laboratory Cotecna. These shipments were reportedly "off-specification," with high ash content and low calorific value, which prevented the Lakvijaya Power Plant from reaching its optimal 900MW capacity.

• Operational Delays: By late March 2026, the company was significantly behind schedule, unloading only its 13th shipment when it should have been on the 19th. These delays forced the Sri Lankan government to issue an "emergency tender" for additional coal at a much higher price of $142 per MT.

• Financial Penalties: As of March 2026, Trident has been charged approximately $8.1 million in penalties for quality and supply issues.

• Emergency Bid Disqualification: Despite its ongoing issues, Trident bid for the emergency replacement tender but was disqualified after attempting to revise its bid price following the formal opening of bids.

• Local Representation: Investigations revealed that the company is represented in Sri Lanka by a local agent associated with Panaurora, leading to parliamentary questions regarding the transparency of the procurement process. 

Key Performance Issues (Lakvijaya Plant)

According to the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL), coal supplied by Trident required 391g to 452g to produce one kilowatt-hour of electricity, compared to just 365g for higher-quality Russian coal used previously.

The investigation into Trident Chemphar’s (TCPL) local representation in  has centered on Panaurora (Pvt) Ltd, a company registered in May 2025 that served as TCPL's local agent for the controversial coal tender. 

Key Individuals and Entities

The following entities and individuals have been identified as the core components of this local agency:

• Sanath Bandara Jayasundara

: Identified as the primary agent for TCPL. He is a former cricket analyst currently serving a multi-year ban from the International Cricket Council (ICC).

• Panaurora (Pvt) Ltd: The company listed as the official local agent. Its ownership is primarily split between two entities: Invest LK (Pvt) Ltd and Sayaara Holdings.

• Rakitha Nirmala Rajapakshe

: A director and shareholder of Invest LK, which owns shares in Panaurora. In statements to the press, he has denied that Panaurora or Invest LK has any formal agency arrangement with TCPL, despite LCC records suggesting otherwise.

• Hakmana Nandaloka Thero

: A Buddhist monk who is a director of both Panaurora and Invest LK.

• H.B.A.O. Herath

: A director of Sayaara Holdings who appeared as a witness signatory on the official contract between Trident Chemphar and the Lanka Coal Company (LCC). 

Investigative Findings

Parliamentary and media investigations, notably by The Sunday Times Sri Lanka, have highlighted several "red flags" regarding this arrangement:

1. Conflicting Claims: While LCC officials confirmed in the Sectoral Oversight Committee (SOC) that Panaurora was the registered agent, Panaurora’s own directors have publicly distanced the company from TCPL, claiming their primary business is in fertilizer.
2. Timing of Registration: Panaurora was registered just months before the coal tender was awarded, and TCPL received its LCC registration only five days before the tender was published.
3. Insider Information Allegations: Suspicions of "insider information" arose when TCPL submitted a revised bid for an emergency tender that was exactly $1.00 lower than the next lowest bidder, although this specific bid led to their disqualification.
4. Political Links: Investigations have sparked "public backlash" over alleged links between the local agency and influential political figures or kin of former ministers

As of late March 2026, Trident Chemphar (TCPL) remains under heavy scrutiny for failing to meet the quality and delivery requirements of its 2025–2026 coal contract in Sri Lanka.

Penalties and Financial Impact

Despite multiple grounds for contract termination, the government has primarily relied on financial penalties to manage the supplier's performance.

• Total Penalties Accrued: TCPL has been charged approximately $8.1 million in penalties to date.
• Specific Quality Failures: Penalties were triggered by "off-specification" coal in the first, ninth, and twelfth shipments. These consignments failed testing by Cotecna, an independent laboratory, due to high ash content and low calorific value.
• Operational Losses: The substandard coal has caused the Lakvijaya Power Plant to fall 135MW to 185MW short of its optimal 900MW capacity.
• Liquidated Damages: The Lanka Coal Company (LCC) has threatened to seek total liquidated damages if TCPL fails to complete its rescheduled delivery timeline by April 30, 2026. 

Status of the Emergency Coal Tender

In response to the consistent delays and quality issues with TCPL's supply, the LCC floated an emergency tender for 300,000 metric tonnes (5 shipments) of better-quality coal. 

• TCPL’s Disqualification: Surprisingly, TCPL bid for this emergency tender. Although they initially quoted the lowest price ($121.40 per MT), they were disqualified after sending a letter on the same day claiming a "miscalculation" and attempting to raise their price to $141.00 per MT.
• New Supplier Awarded: The emergency contract was awarded to another Indian firm, Taranjot, at a price of $142.00 per MT. Taranjot's shipments are scheduled to arrive between April 20 and May 10, 2026.
• Supply Shortfall Risk: Even with the emergency purchase, experts calculate a potential shortage of three to four shipments (approx. 225,000 MT) for the current season, which could risk power cuts in June and July if demand peaks. 

Why the Main Contract Wasn't Terminated

Government officials, including Minister Bimal Ratnayake, have defended the decision not to terminate TCPL's primary contract. They argue that replacing a major supplier mid-season is unfeasible due to lengthy procurement timelines and that excessive penalties might push the company toward bankruptcy, which would immediately halt all coal deliveries to the country.

In March 2026, the Sectoral Oversight Committee (SOC) on Infrastructure and Strategic Development launched a formal inquiry into the coal procurement process. The investigation focuses on how Trident Chemphar Limited (TCPL) won the 2025–26 term tender despite its background as a pharmaceutical-leaning firm and its subsequent performance failures. 

Parliamentary Findings on "Insider Information"

The most serious allegation involves TCPL's attempt to win the emergency coal tender (floated to replace their own delayed shipments).

• Suspicious Bid Revision: After the formal opening of bids, TCPL submitted a letter claiming a "miscalculation" and updated its price to $141.00 per MT.
• Precision Timing: This revised price was exactly $1.00 lower than the second-lowest bidder, Taranjot ($142.00 per MT).
• SOC Suspicion: Committee members have questioned if TCPL received insider information regarding the other competitors' bids, allowing them to adjust their price to remain the lowest while maximizing profit. This led to TCPL's disqualification from the emergency bid. 

Laboratory Testing Controversy

A major discrepancy exists between the quality reports from various laboratories, leading to a directive for third-party "umpire" testing.

• Conflicting Reports:
• Lakvijaya (LVP) Internal Lab: Consistently recorded high ash content (21%) and low calorific values, well outside tender specifications.
• Cotecna (Official Lab): Testing at the discharge port in Sri Lanka gave the "all-clear" for most shipments, preventing the government from legally recovering full losses from TCPL.
• Allegations of Fraud: The SOC is investigating whether there was fraud or manipulation in the collection or transport of samples sent to the Indian lab (Cotecna) or the Indonesian lab (Mitra SK).
• Bureau Veritas Appointment: Due to these suspicions, the Lanka Coal Company (LCC) has now commissioned Bureau Veritas to conduct independent testing at the load port in South Africa starting from the 13th and 14th shipments.
• Umpire Samples: The SOC has ordered that "umpire samples" currently held in custody at the Lakvijaya plant be tested immediately by a third independent accredited lab to verify which previous reports were accurate. 

Profiles of Competitors in the 2025–26 Tender

The Sectoral Oversight Committee (SOC) is investigating why TCPL was selected over established energy firms that have historically supplied Sri Lanka.

Bidder	Background	Bid Price (per MT)	Status
Trident Chemphar (TCPL)	Indian Chemical/Trading	$98.50	Selected (Lowest Bid)
Taranjot	Indian Coal Specialist	$104.20	Rejected (Higher price)
Suek AG	Russian Energy Giant	$112.00	Rejected (Sanction/Logistics concerns)
Glencore	Multinational Commodity	$118.50	Rejected (Higher price)

Key Investigative Point: Critics argue that while TCPL’s bid was the lowest on paper, the "total cost of ownership" became much higher due to the quality issues. Established bidders like Taranjot (who eventually won the emergency tender) and Suek AG have historically provided coal with 10–15% lower ash content, which would have saved the plant millions in fuel volume.

Current Status of Other Bidders

• Taranjot: Now effectively the "back-up" supplier, they are currently mobilizing their first shipment to arrive by April 20, 2026.
• Blacklisting Risk: The SOC has recommended that if the "umpire" tests confirm quality manipulation, TCPL should be permanently blacklisted from all future energy tenders in Sri Lanka, alongside its local agent, Panaurora.

Company Details:

Trident Chemphar Limited (TCPL) is an Indian chemical and trading company established in February 2007. Headquartered in Hyderabad, Telangana, the firm specialises in the sourcing, storage, and distribution of chemicals, primarily serving the pharmaceutical and manufacturing industries. 

Core Business Operations

TCPL operates through three primary business units: Solvents, CMO (Contract Manufacturing), and Energy. 

• Flagship Unit: The company’s core expertise lies in solvent distribution. It manages sourcing and distribution from a dedicated storage facility at Visakhapatnam.
• Sourcing and Distribution: It sources key inputs, including bulk solvents and other chemicals, through international trade to supply over 139 customers, including intermediate manufacturers and resellers.
• Integrated Services: The company provides a "one-roof" service model that includes vessel chartering, warehousing, import customs clearance for bulk/containerised goods, and domestic transportation. 

Recent Developments

As of early 2026, the company has been involved in high-profile energy procurement tenders in Sri Lanka: 

• Coal Supply Tenders: Trident Chemphar reportedly won a term tender for coal supply (2025-26) for the Lanka Coal Company (LCC).
• Controversies: Recent reports from The Sunday Times Sri Lanka (March 2026) highlight concerns regarding shipment delays and revised pricing bids in emergency coal tenders, which led to the company being disqualified from certain bidding processes. 

Key Company Details

Feature	Details
Incorporation	21 February 2007
Managing Director	Chittoori Kiran Kumar Garu
Headquarters	Survey No. 66 & 67, Miyapur, Hyderabad, 500050, India
Industry	Chemicals, Petrochemicals, and International Trade
Revenue	Approximately $5.1 million (as of 2026)
Official Website	tridentchemphar.com

Trident Chemphar Limited (TCPL) has expanded from its traditional solvent business into a major international trading player, particularly in the energy sector. Below are the details regarding their product portfolio and the specific controversies surrounding their recent coal supply activities in Sri Lanka. 

Chemical Portfolio and Business Units

The company operates through three distinct business units, serving approximately 139 customers including major pharmaceutical manufacturers and resellers. 

• Solvents (Flagship): TCPL specializes in the sourcing, storage, and distribution of bulk solvents. They utilize a dedicated storage facility at Visakhapatnam to ensure seamless supply to manufacturing clients.
• CMO (Contract Manufacturing): This unit focuses on specialized manufacturing services for the pharmaceutical industry.
• Energy and Trading: This division has become a leading international trade arm, importing coal, bulk solvents, and other chemicals from multiple countries.
• Integrated Logistics: The company provides turnkey services including vessel chartering, warehousing, import customs clearance, and domestic transportation. 

Disclaimer: All data and information provided in this article is for informational purposes only. The author makes no representations as to the accuracy, completeness, or suitability of any information sourced from the web and will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or damages arising from its use.

08/04/2026 Ajith

 

Ref: Bloomberg.com 

LinkedIn

 

A breakdown of Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath’s replies

  A breakdown of Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath’s replies.

The Minister had to navigate a high-pressure environment at the Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi, particularly with Indian FM S. Jaishankar and probing journalists present.

Vijitha Herath’s Responses: 

A Strategic & Humanitarian Defense

Minister Herath’s approach was centered on "principled neutrality," ensuring Sri Lanka stayed above the geopolitical fray while fulfilling its global duties.

Prioritizing Humanity Over Politics:

Herath emphasized that Sri Lanka’s immediate reaction was a humanitarian rescue mission. By focusing on the 32 survivors rescued and the recovery of the deceased, he framed Sri Lanka’s actions as a moral obligation rather than a political statement. This effectively neutralized attempts to "trap" him into taking a side in the US-Iran-Israel conflict.

Adherence to International Law (UNCLOS):

When questioned about why the ship was in those waters or how the incident occurred, he repeatedly anchored his answers in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). By stating that Sri Lanka acted "strictly according to international maritime law," he shut down the narrative that Sri Lanka was being negligent or secretive.

Deflecting the "Security Failure" Narrative:

In response to suggestions that Sri Lanka was "left in the dark" about a US submarine operating so close to its coast, Herath remained composed. He focused on the distress signal received at 5:08 AM, highlighting that the Navy responded within the hour. This shifted the focus from military intelligence gaps to the efficiency and responsiveness of the Sri Lankan Navy.

Balancing Global Ties:

Herath managed to maintain a "balanced tightrope" act. He acknowledged the gravity of the situation (having even signed a condolence book for Iranian leaders) while simultaneously maintaining diplomatic dialogue with Israel and the US regarding the safety of Sri Lankans abroad. This showed him as a minister looking out for Sri Lankan interests first.

By refusing to speculate on "who gave the tip" or "who is at fault," Herath denied the interviewer the controversial headline they were seeking. He stayed disciplined, focusing on facts and international obligations, which is why the "trap" failed to snap shut.

The Final Stand: Herath’s Closing Replies

During the session "Heart of the Seas: 

The Future of the Indian Ocean," the Minister was repeatedly pressed on the "repatriation dilemma"—specifically whether the US was leaning on Sri Lanka to keep the Iranian survivors as "detainees" rather than returning them to Tehran.

Herath’s closing remarks were a masterclass in "The Strategic Pivot":

The "International Law" Shield: Every time the journalist tried to frame the issue as a choice between the US and Iran, Herath responded:

"We have taken all the steps according to international laws and our treaty obligations."

By repeating this, he refused to acknowledge "pressure," effectively signaling that Sri Lanka is a sovereign state that follows a rulebook, not a phone call from a superpower.

The Humanitarian High Ground: He concluded by shifting the focus back to the 32 survivors currently in Galle and the 219 crew members from the IRIS Bushehr in Trincomalee. He framed Sri Lanka as a "Responsible Guardian of the Indian Ocean," stating that the rescue and care of these sailors was a "humane necessity" that overrode geopolitical squabbles.

 When the conversation touched on how the ships were tracked he didn't bite. He instead praised the Sri Lankan Navy’s responsiveness, moving the credit away from foreign intelligence and back to Sri Lankan domestic capability.

Why this was a "Win" for Herath

He protected the President's stance: He stayed perfectly aligned with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s invocation of the Hague Convention. The journalist’s frustration became the story. By not giving a "Yes" or "No" regarding US pressure, he prevented a diplomatic firestorm.

He maintained "Principled Neutrality" of Sri lanka. He managed to satisfy the Iranian side by providing rescue and medical care, while not technically violating any Western "red lines" by citing international maritime law.

Ajith:

Blue Economy: 

Herath is focusing on the "blue economy" as a critical, sustainable, and collaborative approach to regional economic growth, specifically leveraging the Indian Ocean for maritime security, trade, and environmental sustainability amidst post-crisis recover.

Predicting the future by art - in this case films

 

I am watching film series 'Tehran' these days. And it is fascinating how often art seems to rehearse reality before it actually happens. While there isn't a single official "film" that linked an attack on Iran to COVID-19 as a singular conspiracy, there are several striking examples of predictive programming—where media "forecasts" specific geopolitical or medical crises.

The Tehran Parallel (Iran & Nuclear Conflict)

The series Tehran (released in 2020) is often cited as the most "psychic" show on television right now. It follows a Mossad agent attempting to disable Iran’s nuclear reactor.The show depicted Mossad agents operating with ease inside Iran, sabotaging air defenses and nuclear sites.During the years the show aired, several high-profile real events mirrored its plot, including the 2020 assassination of Iranian nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh (via a remote-controlled machine gun) and actual explosions at the Natanz nuclear facility.

As of 2024–2026, the direct exchanges between Israel and Iran have reached levels of intensity that the show’s creators admit is "racing ahead" of their scripts.The series focuses on the Mossad’s efforts to sabotage Iran’s nuclear program—specifically the Natanz enrichment facility. 

The show's fiction collided with real-world events very interstingly.

The Sabotage Loop (2020-2021): Just as Season 1 aired (depicting cyber-attacks on Iranian infrastructure), the real Natanz facility suffered a series of mysterious "accidents," including a major power failure and an explosion in the centrifuge hall that intelligence experts attributed to Mossad cyber-warfare.

The "Exploding Phone" Plot: In Season 2, a high-ranking Iranian official is assassinated using a rigged mobile phone. In late 2024, the world saw a real-world version of this on a massive scale during the "pager and walkie-talkie attacks" in Lebanon, which targeted Hezbollah using similar technology.

The 2025–2026 Conflict: While Season 3 (filmed in 2023) focused on a direct "race to the bomb," the real world caught up in June 2025 with a 12-day war involving U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites. By March 2026, operations like "Epic Fury" have mirrored the show's climax, with direct strikes on Tehran and the targeting of Iran's leadership.

The COVID-19 "Blueprint" (Contagion)

When the pandemic hit, the 2011 film Contagion became the most-watched movie in the world because it felt less like fiction and more like a documentary.It famously predicted the bat-to-pig-to-human transmission of a respiratory virus in a Chinese wet market.It also accurately "predicted" the rise of social distancing, the "R-naught" (R_0) factor, the scarcity of medical supplies, and even the spread of online conspiracy theories and fake cures.

 The 1995 film Outbreak also explored a similar theme, though Contagion is generally considered the "scientific" prediction of COVID-19. And then the Film "Utopia" (2013/2020) and man made virus. This British (and later American) series revolves around a graphic novel that predicts various man-made viruses and a global vaccine conspiracy designed to sterilize the population.

Other films I can think of: 

The Lone Gunmen (2001): The pilot episode of this X-Files spin-off featured a plot where a secret government agency hijacks a passenger plane via remote control to crash it into the World Trade Center to spark a war. It aired only six months before September 11th.

Wag the Dog - 1997 - This film follows a U.S. President who "invents" a fake war in Albania to distract the public from a sex scandal. Shortly after its release, President Bill Clinton ordered strikes on Sudan and Afghanistan during the height of the Lewinsky scandal.

The Simpsons - Famous for "predicting" the Trump Presidency (in 2000), the 2014 Ebola outbreak, and the Disney-Fox merger.

White Noise - 2022 - Filmed in Ohio, it depicted a train derailment causing a "toxic airborne event." A nearly identical train derailment happened in East Palestine, Ohio, just months after the movie's release.

The China Syndrome" (1979): This thriller about a nuclear meltdown at a power plant was released just 12 days before the real-life Three Mile Island nuclear accident—the worst in U.S. history.

Enemy of the State (1998) – Showing the NSA surveillance state more like Orwellian nature.

Before Edward Snowden made global headlines in 2013, this film depicted the National Security Agency (NSA) using satellites, cell phone tracking, and total digital surveillance to hunt a citizen.The film predicted the massive expansion of the surveillance state under the Patriot Act and the PRISM program,which weren't public knowledge for over a decade after the film's release.

Why Films "Predict" the Future: The Statistics of Probability

The "Billion Monkeys" Theory (The "Billion Monkeys" Theory, more accurately known in mathematics as the Infinite Monkey Theorem, is a thought experiment stating that a monkey hitting keys at random on a typewriter for an infinite amount of time will almost surely type any given text, such as the complete works of William Shakespeare. - google )

With roughly 2,500 to 3,000 films released globally every year, and thousands more hours of TV, the "law of large numbers" suggests that some plots must eventually overlap with reality. (The law of large numbers (LLN) states that as the number of independent, identical trials increases, their average result approaches the expected theoretical mean. This theorem guarantees long-term stability in random events, meaning larger sample sizes produce results that better reflect the true underlying probability, reducing the impact of extreme outliers-google ) 

The pilot episode of The X-Files spin-off The Lone Gunmen (which aired on March 4, 2001, six months before the September 11 attacks) featured a plot in which rogue members of the U.S. government remotely hijack a commercial airliner with the intention of crashing it into the World Trade Center. While it seems psychic, the World Trade Center had already been bombed in 1993. Writers were simply looking at the most obvious high-value target in the U.S.

Many shows, including Tehran and The Americans, hire former intelligence officers as consultants. The CIA has an Entertainment Industry Liaison office. Their job is to help filmmakers portray the agency accurately, which often leads to scripts that reflect real-world geopolitical "war games" currently being discussed in Langley or Tel Aviv.

I think most researchers and film buffs call this "Art Imitating Life" (or vice versa). Writers often consult with intelligence experts, scientists, and futurists to make their stories believable. Sometimes, they just happen to be right because they are looking at the same data and tensions that exist in the real world.

- Ajith Dharma 02/03/2026

A literary discourse on combating sexual violence: 'Siyama'*

 

A literary discourse on combating sexual violence: 'Siyama'***************************************************************************************

Immediately after finishing the novel 'Siyama'—which is based on the brutal sexual violence inflicted upon womanhood by fundamentalist religious extremism—I heard the tragic story of Khalija. She was a 22-year-old woman in Afghanistan who, according to the verdict of a fundamentalist judge, was sentenced to be stoned to death in public for secretly teaching martial arts to young girls.
Along with that news, I am deeply grateful to Ajith Dharma, the author of 'Siyama,' for bringing into creative discussion a fragment of the reality regarding the unbearable pressure of sexual harassment faced by Asian girls and women, and the cruel cultural savagery that decides their death.

It is a grave crime still experienced by the world even at the end of the first quarter of the 21st century: that within a socio-political culture driven by traditional patriarchal fundamentalist attitudes and ideologies from childhood, women have been reduced to a group deprived of human rights—controlled, manipulated, and even killed at will.

Questioning or defying these fundamentalist rules, practices, and traditions is strictly forbidden; in such instances, death is certain. Facing a savagery that collectively justifies such actions, the silence and stillness of the rest of the world remains a profound political and humanitarian tragedy.

In the latter part of the last century, author Taslima Nasrin incurred the wrath of fundamentalists for expressing the view that 'Sharia Law' should be humanely reformed because women are oppressed by fundamentalist traditional laws. Consequently, she was sentenced to death and has been forced to live in exile from her birthplace, Bangladesh, to this day.

In present-day Afghanistan, female students are banned from secondary and higher education; they are also prohibited from participating in sports and the arts, expressing their opinions, engaging in writing, dressing freely, and even walking on the streets alone. In a South Asian context where such a socio-political reality exists, Ajith’s attempt to deeply question this culture of violence through 'Siyama' and to build a socio-cultural and political discourse against it is highly commendable. The author does not intend to create a political dialogue against any specific religion or ethnicity; rather, by illustrating these experiences, he seeks to foster a universal conversation aimed at a humanitarian reflection toward ending this violence against women.

If we reflect deeply without reducing this to a single culture or ethnicity, we can see that this is a form of violence that can be reflected within any group through extremist fundamentalist ideologies and brutal patriarchal practices.

Ajith, who began writing 'Siyama' in Sinhala in 2015, first published it in that language. Subsequently, he translated it into English himself and published it in late 2025. I read the version of the novel 'Siyama' translated into English by Ajith. In the introduction to 'Siyama,' Ajith states that his purpose in writing it was to establish the vision that men, women, and children should have the right to live freely and as they choose—without any classification or restriction—and that no one should obstruct another's right to live freely. Along with 'Siyama,' Ajith has joined those contributing to the building of a free world rich in humanity, based on our experiences and imaginations. Through this, he invites us to reject male chauvinism, religious communalism, racism, or any form of extremism that oppresses the human community.

The dialogue in 'Siyama' flows around the close friendship that develops between Priyan and Siyama, who meet by chance while pursuing their Master's degrees at a university in London. Through this bond, Siama releases a pain she had harbored in secret for a long time—a pain she had endured since childhood that was almost unbearable for a human being.

While this work portrays social violence subtly through a simple linguistic style, I prefer to focus on the intensity of the socio-political and cultural ideology underlying the story, rather than its purely literary aspects.

The relationship that develops between Siyama and Priyan is a very gentle, humane connection. It is a friendly companionship that stands in complete contrast to the violent, patriarchal abuse Siyama had faced since childhood. In the presence of such a man, Siyama releases the immense internal psychological stress she had suppressed due to the various cultural and sexual atrocities she endured within her culture. Throughout the narration of her experiences, her subjective pain ignites a profound thought in the minds of sensitive, empathetic readers: that just like her, every one of our daughters and every one of our sisters must be liberated from such cruel suffering.

In this novel, even the subtlest cultural practices are occasionally highlighted. Certain rituals surrounding a girl's reaching of puberty in Siama's culture reflect a reality where many societies still fail to scientifically acknowledge this biological process. Through this, the book depicts how a girl's freedom and rights are restricted or completely violated across various cultures to this day, bringing to the reader's attention how even natural biological processes from birth are shrouded in the prejudices of myth.

When Siyama reaches puberty, she is deprived of her right to education for several days and confined to a room adjacent to her house, forbidden from attending school. During this time, her sister is forced to walk to school alone. Lamisa, Siyama's fifteen-year-old sister, is subsequently abducted by a powerful and wealthy youth from the village. He imprisons her, subjects her to barbaric sexual violence, and ultimately murders her—mutilating her body and displaying her naked remains on the street.

The 'justification' for this cruelty was that Lamisa and her parents had previously rejected his marriage proposal to the underage schoolgirl. Siama’s father, an intellectual with progressive thoughts and a free spirit, had granted his daughters the freedom to exercise their rights. It was this very defiance of traditional fundamentalism that the extremists used as a reason to systematically destroy and massacre the family.

No one condemned this savage murder. Out of fear of challenging fundamentalist ideologies and the power of the perpetrators, the villagers cruelly isolated Siama’s family. Ultimately, extremism suppressed all humanity, and Siama's entire family was slaughtered, leaving her as the sole survivor."

Though she escaped death, the fourteen-year-old girl was forced into a 'sex torture chamber,' becoming a constant victim of gang sexual violence. While the world is somewhat aware that girls and young women in many nations fall prey to such global sexual victimization, there is still no robust political or legal framework—nor even a sufficient global dialogue—to suppress it. Consequently, our daughters and sisters continue to suffer across the world as mere sexual tools.

In such a political landscape, I truly appreciate Ajith Dharmakeerthi’s approach as a Sri Lankan to building a discourse against this sexual violence through Siyama. The author does not limit this to a single culture or social stratum; he brings forth examples of such violence occurring in various states, showing how this brutality has become normalized globally."

The depiction of Siyama, as a fourteen-year-old child, being subjected to gang sexual abuse by adults is a scene that moved me profoundly. Siyama feels personally close to me because, in my own creative work in 2003—the book Madusamaya Ahimi Mangalyaya (The Honeymoon-less Wedding)—I too attempted to build a socio-legal discourse against sexual crimes through the experience of 'a hymen without evidence.'

Ajith Dharma masterfully portrays how, even on the rare occasions these girls escape or are rescued, the pain remains deeply embedded within them, causing lifelong psychological trauma. The story ends with Siyama succumbing to cancer, brought on by the immense psychological stress she carried. Beyond the brutality of forced violence, Ajith also touches upon the light, free connections found in various human sexual orientations.

By casting a subtle, gentle, and liberating gaze on womanhood from a male perspective, the author challenges the violent, structural frameworks of patriarchal socio-political culture. After reading Siyama, I called Ajith to appreciate his fraternal, humane vision. He responded to me by saying:

'Thilina, I have two daughters.'

If every father and brother in the world possessed such a consciousness, that thought alone would be the beginning of the end for violence against women.

Ajith’s statement reminds me of Jean-Paul Sartre’s famous sentiment: 'Your actions reflect who you are.' That is to say, your actions demonstrate your political vision and your humanity. To not ignore or suppress the dialogue raised in Siyama, but to highlight it further, is the contribution we can all make toward ending sexual and cultural violence against our women.

- Thilina Weerasinghe

Finland tour 4 - Hämeenlinna

 

Finland Tour 1- Helsinky 

Finland Tour 2 - Suomenlinna 

Finland Tour 3  - wild life safari

I first referred to this city as 'Haminlinna.' . However, a YouTube video mentioned that it should be pronounced adiffferently.

Since my sister's daughter, Pavani, lives in that city, we traveled there by train on September 9th last year (2025), which was our third day after arriving in Finland. Hämeenlinna is the capital of the Kanta-Häme region and is situated near the large Lake Vanajavesi in southern Finland.

As I wrote before, the word Linna means 'castle' or 'fortress.' Häme refers to the large medieval castle located in this city.

I mentioned earlier that Finland belonged to the Russian Empire from 1809 to 1917. Following the Russian Revolution, the Finnish Civil War took place until 1918. The city of Hämeenlinna was initially captured by the Soviet-backed Red Army (Red Guards).

However, in that same year, the White Army—with the support of German forces—recaptured the city. More than two thousand Red Guard soldiers died within the brutal prison conditions of the Poltinaho barracks.

(Google search gave these details)***************

The Poltinaho Barracks: The prison camp in Hämeenlinna was one of the largest and most notorious after the war. History records show that nearly 2,500 prisoners died there, mostly due to disease (like the Spanish flu) and starvation, rather than direct execution.

The Transition: It’s a powerful contrast to see how a peaceful city today has such a heavy history from just over a century ago.

The Russian Era in a Nutshell (1809–1917)

While it was a time of foreign rule, it was also the period when the modern Finnish identity was born:

• Autonomy: Unlike other parts of the Russian Empire, Finland was a "Grand Duchy." This meant it kept its own laws, religion, and eventually even its own currency (the markka).

• A New Capital: Russia moved the capital from Turku to Helsinki in 1812 to keep it further away from Swedish influence and closer to St. Petersburg.

• The "Years of Oppression": Toward the end (1899–1917), Russia tried to "Russify" Finland by forcing the Russian language and laws on the people, which led to the strong desire for independence that they finally achieved in 1917.

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Trains in Finland are white and green. Many of them are similar to certain German trains and likewise feature two floors (double-deckers). The train stations we saw while traveling to Hämeenlinna took me back to the past; some of them are designed in a way that reminds me of the railway stations I have seen in Soviet Russia. The Finnish state railway (VR) transitioned from red and white to this green and white color scheme about 10 years ago to symbolize their commitment to being environmentally friendly. The Finnish state railway (VR) transitioned from red and white to this green and white color scheme about 10 years ago to symbolize their commitment to being environmentally friendly.

 I also noticed that the regions we passed through in Finland are geographically flat and possess climate characteristics similar to those of Russia and Poland.Geographically, Finland sits on the same Baltic Shield as parts of Russia. Since there are no high mountain ranges, it shares that vast, flat, forest-and-lake look you’d find in the Russian northwest or the Polish plains.

Short videos from the train trip are available on my YouTube channel.

Häme Castle is located near Lake Vanajavesi. I was able to capture a beautiful video of a train traveling past it.

The history of this city dates back to the Viking Age. This castle was built in the 13th century by a Swedish statesman named Birger Jarl. Birger Jarl was actually a "Jarl" (which is like a Duke or a high-ranking chieftain). He was the "power behind the throne" and is also famously credited with founding Stockholm. Since the castle was closed on the day we visited, we weren't able to go inside and explore. I have included several photos taken around the area in the slideshow.

     

The next day, we traveled to Oulu, which is located in central Finland. I plan to write about that separately. After returning to Hämeenlinna from Oulu, we spent the following day in a forested area slightly outside the city called Aulanko. This is a very famous nature reserve in Hämeenlinna. It is known for its beautiful "English-style" park and lookout towers.

While taking photos of some flowering trees in a Finnish village setting, I came across a structure that looked just like a traditional resting hall called Ambalama  from back in the day in Sri Lanka. The lake here is called Metsälampi, which means 'Forest Lake.' The area where the Ambalama is located is known as Ruskeasuo.

Afterward, we went to a place  named Aulangonvuori.  In Finnish, vuori means mountain or hill. Because of the fort built on its summit nearly a thousand years ago, it was possible to spot enemy invasions well in advance. A tower standing 33 meters tall, resembling a lighthouse, has been built there. You can reach the very top by climbing the 215 steps inside. It is said to have inspired the composer Jean Sibelius. You can see photos of the interior and the lake below, as well as several pictures taken inside the tower, in the slideshow.

As we descended from the other side of the tower, we came across a large statue of a bear family. Although bears used to live in this area, they disappeared with the arrival of humans.  That famous bronze statue was made by the sculptor Robert Stigell in 1906. It is a very popular spot for photos in Aulanko. While bears are rare near cities now, Finland still has a large population of brown bears in the deeper northern and eastern forests.

In the forest, we saw various colorful but poisonous types of mushrooms.Finland has many beautiful mushrooms, like the bright red Fly Agaric (Puna-kärpässieni), which looks like it's out of a fairytale but is indeed toxic.

On our way down from the tower, we stopped at a small cafe to have some tea. It's called the Aulanko Tower Cafe. I enjoyed a delicious slice of homemade cake filled with a fruit similar to Madan (Java Plum could be Bilberry), soaking in the surrounding silence. (Bilberry pie is one of Finland's most famous traditional treats.)  Although there was a light drizzle, there were still quite a few people out walking and exploring the area.

Before we returned to Helsinki, Pavani took us to a special restaurant. Knowing that my wife and I have had a keen interest in Japanese food since our trip to Japan last month, she took us to a place in the city center called Ajito (Ajito Sushi & Ravintola). The food there was served in a buffet style. Almost every dish was prepared or finished exquisitely. As we tasted every variety, we felt that all the sushi was prepared exactly like the authentic flavors we experienced in Japan.

The most important point was learning that the sushi chef here, Chamila Jayasinghe, is a young Sri Lankan. When I spoke with him, I found out that he had lived in Japan for a long time to learn the art of cooking, lived in England for a period, and is now living in Finland. We wished him well and left the place happily.

If you are visiting Hämeenlinna, don't forget to stop by this restaurant. You will get a delicious Japanese and Chinese meal that is well worth the price

Ajith Dharma -29/01/2026 

New Empires in the Making: The End of the Post-War Order with Putin and Trump, what If .....

 

(Please Note- This article is AI generated. I gave my idea of asking what will happen if President Trump's America  invade Greenland and how the world would be divided between four emerging world powers.)

The Greenland Precedent and the End of NATO

The modern geopolitical landscape is held together by a web of alliances, treaties, and the principle of state sovereignty. However, a shift toward spheres of influence—where superpowers claim "neighborhoods" as their own—could dismantle this order, giving rise to a new era of global empires.

The idea of a superpower "purchasing" or claiming a sovereign territory like Greenland sets a dangerous precedent. It signals a move away from diplomacy and toward territorial acquisition. Such a move would likely be the final blow for NATO.

If the United States prioritizes land acquisition and isolationism over collective defense, the alliance loses its foundational trust. Without the American security umbrella, the "Transatlantic" era ends, leaving Europe to fend for itself.

The Rise of the New American Empire

If a U.S. administration focuses on a "near abroad" policy—asserting direct control over the Western Hemisphere, including nations like Venezuela—it marks the birth of a New American Empire. This isn't just influence; it's a return to 19th-century geopolitics where the U.S. treats the Americas as its private domain, discarding international law in favor of raw power.

The New Russian and Chinese Domains

In a world without NATO, the gates fly open for expansionist powers:

• The Russian Empire Reborn: Without Western intervention, the conflict in Ukraine could end with total or partial annexation by Moscow. From there, the "domino effect" takes hold. The Baltic states (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania), Poland, and Moldova could fall back under a Russian sphere of influence, effectively rebuilding the footprint of the old Soviet Union or the Tsarist Empire.

• China’s Pacific Hegemony: If the U.S. retreats into its own hemisphere, Taiwan and Southeast Asian nations would likely be absorbed into a Chinese-led order. China would become the undisputed master of the Pacific, dictate trade routes, and command the "near abroad" of its coastal waters.

Regional Shifts: India and the Subcontinent

The collapse of global policing would force regional powers to consolidate their borders. In this scenario, India might feel compelled to assert direct control over its neighbours—Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and others—to ensure its own security and resource stability. This would create a South Asian empire, mirroring the actions of the other three giants.

The Result I think would be a fragmented world.

My vision suggests a world carved into four massive blocks: (Plese see the above picture)

• The American Empire (The Americas)
• The New Russian Empire (Eastern Europe and Central Asia)
• The Chinese Empire (East Asia and the Pacific)
• The Indian Sphere (South Asia)

The Casualties of Change:

• Europe: Once a global powerhouse, a "lost Europe" would be caught between the Russian and American spheres, struggling to maintain its identity without a unified military. (European defence force - idea mooted by Angela Merkel)

• Great Britain: The former "Empire on which the sun never set" would find itself a mid-sized island nation, disconnected from its old allies and overshadowed by the new four-way global split. (Tony Blair would be an appinted viceroy of US empire)

We are standing at a crossroads. If the world abandons the rule of law for the rule of the strong, the map of the 21st century will look less like a collection of nations and more like a battlefield of four empires..The transition from a globalized economy to one dominated by four regional empires would trigger a radical shift in how wealth, resources, and power flow across the planet. This isn't just a change in borders; it’s a rewrite of the global financial rules that have existed since 1945.

1. The Death of the Petrodollar

For decades, the "Petrodollar" system—where oil is bought and sold globally using the U.S. Dollar—has been the backbone of American economic power.

• Fragmentation: If the world splits into empires, Russia and China would likely demand payments in their own currencies (the Ruble or Yuan) for energy and goods. (this is already happening with BRICS)

• Loss of Privilege: The U.S. would lose its "exorbitant privilege" of printing money to fund deficits. Without global demand for the dollar to buy oil, the U.S. could face higher interest rates and a permanent increase in the cost of imported goods.

2. The Rise of "Fortress Economics"

• In a world of four empires, "Free Trade" is replaced by "Fortress Economics." Each empire would prioritize its own "Near Abroad" for resources.

• American Empire: Focuses on securing lithium from South America and oil from Venezuela, creating a closed-loop supply chain in the Western Hemisphere.

• Russian/Chinese Blocs: They would control the "Silk Road" routes, dominating the flow of critical minerals and energy across Eurasia.

• India’s Hub: India would likely become the manufacturing and service hub for the Indian Ocean, leveraging its control over Bangladesh and Sri Lanka to dominate regional maritime trade.

3. Supply Chain "Patchwork"

The "Just-in-Time" delivery system that makes products cheap today would collapse.

 Everything—from smartphones to cars—would become more expensive as supply chains are "on-shored" or "friend-shored" within imperial borders. We might see the end of a single internet or universal tech standards. You could have a "Russian/Chinese Web" and an "American/Indian Web," with devices that aren't compatible across imperial lines.

4. The Fate of "Lost Europe" and Britain

Without a unified military or a clear imperial sphere, Europe and the UK would face an economic identity crisis:

The UK: Stripped of its role as a financial bridge between the U.S. and Europe, Britain might struggle to find a "node" to attach to, potentially becoming a vassal state to the American Empire just to maintain its standard of living.

Europe: Caught between the Russian energy giant and the American tech/security giant, Europe might see its industries hollowed out as it pays higher costs for everything from defense to fuel.

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What I think of "a typical morning" would actually feel like for a regular person living in this new world of four empires.

Life in the Four Empires: The "New Normal"

In this world, the freedom of the 2000s—where you could buy anything from anywhere and travel almost anywhere—is replaced by Imperial Citizenship. (Azimov's 'Foundation and  Empire' series come to mind.)

The "Splinternet": Instead of one World Wide Web, you’d likely use a regional network. If you live in the Russian Empire, your social media, search engines, and news are filtered through Moscow’s servers. In the American Empire, "Silicon Valley" becomes a closed ecosystem, perhaps blocked in the Chinese Empire, which uses its own advanced "Great Firewall" apps for everything from banking to dating.

Travel and "Internal" Passports: Crossing from the American Empire to the Chinese Empire wouldn't just be a flight; it would be a major diplomatic event. Movement within your empire (e.g., a Pole traveling to Moscow, or a Brazilian traveling to New York) might be easy, but the borders between the "Four Giants" would be heavily fortified and digitally monitored.

The Shopping Cart Shift: Brand loyalty becomes political. Buying a "foreign" phone or car could be seen as an act of disloyalty—or simply impossible due to massive tariffs. You buy what your empire makes.

The "Buffer Zone" Reality: For people in "Lost Europe" or the UK, life is a balancing act. You might work for an American company but pay for Russian heating and drive a Chinese car, always worried that a change in imperial weather could ruin your local economy.

This will be  a world that is more stable in one sense (no more small "proxy" wars everywhere) but much more rigid. The "Empire" provides security and jobs, but at the cost of personal choice and global connection.

It’s a return to a "balanced globe of human beings," but one where the walls are much higher than they used to be.

Ajith Dharma - 20/01/2026

Riviews for 'Siyama'

Review 1 

As both of us are book lovers and writers—and long-standing friends—I encouraged Ajith Dharmakeerthi to take this story to as many readers as possible. Writing it in English felt like the only practical way to widen that circle, and that was the spirit in which I supported him.

I was humbled to be acknowledged in his book Siyama. I did not expect it, nor did I see my role as anything extraordinary.

Siyama is not a book one reads casually. It is a book one enters—and once inside, there is no looking away.
Through cancer, abuse, abducti

on, violence, and unspeakable suffering, Ajith Dharmakeerthi opens a door into a mind shaped by trauma and survival.
The opening lines prepare us for that descent, and the pages that follow keep their promise. The story is painful, disturbing, and deeply human.
I truly admire the intelligence and courage it took to write Siyama. Handling material like this without exaggeration or drama is not easy. The truth is allowed to speak for itself, and that takes restraint.
Being there for someone—without judgment, without conditions—is not heroism. It’s a responsibility we owe one another.

This book reminds us of that truth. It asks us to listen when silence would be easier, to stay when leaving would be more comfortable, and to care when caring costs us something.

Heartbreaking as it is, Siyama matters. It stands as a quiet but firm reminder that survival is rarely solitary—and that sometimes, simply being there can change the course of a life.

I congratulate Ajith Dharmakeerthi on the successful publication of Siyama—a significant and well-earned step on his path as a writer.
Wishing Siyama a long, thoughtful journey in readers’ hands—and wishing you steady joy in your own words, wherever they go next.

K. H. D. Chandani

From a reader posted in Amazon: 

This powerful and deeply moving novel explores an unlikely friendship forged far from home, set against the backdrop of student life in the UK. What begins as a simple meeting between two young people from the same continent quickly transforms into an unforgettable journey of healing, empathy, and the quiet strength found in human connection.

One protagonist arrives carrying the invisible scars of a violent childhood shaped by political turmoil and social unrest. The author handles these traumatic experiences with sensitivity, offering a vivid yet respectful portrayal of how such a past shapes one’s identity, fears, and hopes. In contrast, the other student is warm, understanding, and grounded—someone whose compassion becomes a lifeline. Their growing bond feels authentic and beautifully paced, unfolding through small acts of kindness, honest conversations, and moments of quiet solidarity.

The writing is touching and emotionally resonant, drawing readers deep into each character’s inner world. What truly sets the novel apart is its ability to balance heart-wrenching realities with moments of genuine warmth and humor. It never feels heavy for the sake of being heavy; instead, it is filled with humanity. Overall, this is a gripping, heartfelt novel that explores trauma, resilience, and the remarkable impact of kindness. It keeps you emotionally invested from beginning to end and offers a powerful reminder that even the unlikeliest friendships can change our lives.

From Amazon  India

The book beautifully portrays how early relationships shape emotional resilience later in life. The themes of cultural differences, trust, and emotional survival are handled with maturity and sensitivity. Priyan and Siyama’s friendship shows how human connection can exist beyond labels and societal expectations. The narrative is calm, reflective, and emotionally grounded. It’s a meaningful read for anyone who values emotional intelligence and human relationships.

Goodreads

Siyama is one of those books that quietly settles into your heart. The campus setting, emotional conversations, and slow-building friendship create a comforting yet powerful reading experience. It explores trauma and identity with grace and empathy. I loved how the story highlights emotional safety and human connection as strengths, not weaknesses. This book feels intimate, reflective, and meaningful perfect for readers who enjoy emotionally rich stories that linger.