Arrogance of ignorance

MINISTER of Industries Sunil Handunneththi's performance at a panel discussion at the 2025 Summer Davos meet of World Economic Forum held in Nanjing unleashed a monstrously huge tide of chattering that continues unabated keeping the chattering class busy on the importance of English.

- By Sarath De Alwis

A friend of my vintage sent me an edited video clip of our Minister's response to a question posed to him with the sardonic remark 'the tragedy of our times.' This 'pukka sahib' hoity toity remark failed to spur my curiosity on the alleged faux pas of the Comrade Minister. I salute him for the courage he displayed in participating in the event.

Later, a well-known academic and popular YouTuber known for his dialectical devilry in challenging the orthodox, shocked me with the remark that perhaps a person such as NPP parliamentarian Lakmali Hemachandra could have been deployed to avoid this embarrassing 'AKARATHABBYA' predicament.

So, I decided to find out more about the World Economic Forums meet at Nanjing China. The State Council of China in its English website explains why it decided to host the 2025 Summer Davos in Nanjing.

It explains that "This year's Summer Davos forum is themed "Entrepreneurship in the New Era" and is expected to bring together around 1,800 participants from over 90 countries and regions. It will focus on five key areas -- deciphering the world economy, outlook on China, industries disrupted, investing in people and the planet, and new energy and materials."

The State Council of China proceeds to explain its long-term plans for China itself and for the rest of Asia.

"As one of the most dynamic regions in the world, Asia drives 60 percent of global economic growth, with China accounting for half of that contribution. This year's Summer Davos forum will provide opportunities for participants to deepen their understanding of development trends in China and Asia."

I understand the anguished howls and painful yearning of the Chattering Classes who miss Ranil Wickremesinghe's urbane homilies on geopolitics and his penchant for important trivialities at such events.

Does NPP Govt. possess the needed 'Brains Trust'