Govt. Concerned about US Meddling in Domestic Affairs – Nov. 26,2011
Posted on November 29th, 2011
Ira de Silva London, Ontario Canada
The Editor
The Island
Colombo, Sri Lanka
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Dear Sir:
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Reference the newsƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ report in your paper of November 27,2011, if as reported, the Government is concernedƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ about the interference of the U.S. in domestic political affairs,ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ why does the government not take appropriate action? Ms. Butenis has a history of interference wherever she was posted and even in her last post in Bangladesh before coming to Sri Lanka, she tried her viceroy act. Surely the authorities in Sri Lanka should do some background checking on actions and attitudes of diplomats posted to Colombo and deal with them in an appropriate manner.
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Since her arrival in Sri Lanka there have been constant news reports of herƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ continuous interference in domestic affairs. The cables she sent to Washington published by Wikileaks is a standard of “how to interfere and impose US imperialism on Sri Lanka”. Is no one in the government paying attention?ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚
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In this latest episode, if she was supposed to have asked for a “one on one” appointment with Minister M. Sirisena and chose not to keep the appointment,ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ why did Minister Sirisena not cancel the appointment if he was notified that she was unable to attend? Of course, I am presuming that she would have done so as that is not only diplomatic protocol but a simple rule of etiquette. If she did not ,it illustrates her attitude of “colonial superiority”. If theƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ minister permitted the meeting to go ahead it only makes matters worse for Sri Lanka and reinforces her belief and that of the other western representatives that westernersƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ still have the god given right to treat the natives with disdain.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ When are our government representatives going to enforceƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ diplomatic rulesƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ andƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ always uphold the dignitary and self respect of the country? If Sri LankansƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ permit themselves to be treated as “lesser citizens of the world” and provide opportunities for people such as Ms. Butenis to act out her dictatorial tendencies, they are not just letting themselves down butƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ the country too.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ This same attitude towards Sri Lanka is evident in every international forum where the western countriesƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ openly flaunt the idea that they know best what should or should not be doneƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ by Sri Lanka, the U.S. taking the lead dismissing the rights of other countries while all the while preaching democratic values.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚
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The threats by the U.S. and other countries to act against Sri Lanka at the U.N. council in Geneva have been gathering strength and are building up to crucify Sri Lanka in Geneva in March 2012. In Canada there is a sub-committee of parliament holding hearings at present and the thrust of the presentations so far is to formulate policy so that Canada can ensure that Sri Lanka will be forced to submit to an international investigation for war crimes. It goes without saying that the U.S., U.K., Australia, New Zealand and the E.U. are all looking at ways to get together to achieve this goal which is primarily to satisfy voters in theƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Tamil diaspora who are supporters of the LTTEƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ and funded terrorism in Sri Lanka from their respective countries. Although these countriesƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ consider themselves democracies it does not matter to them that their citizens were actively involved in funding terrorism in Sri Lanka because it isƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Sri Lankans who pay the price. Surely Minister Sirisena, being a senior member of the cabinet knows this. Why is he permitting Ms. Butenis to issue these accusations and demands without making it clear,ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ in diplomatic language, that it is not her business and that her interference will not be tolerated.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ When is the government going to effectively defend the country at the diplomatic level?ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚
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Unless the members of the government speaking on behalf of Sri LankaƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ defend the sovereignty and independence of the country byƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ insisting that the diplomats in Colombo treat the country with respect and conform to international codes of conduct,ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Ms. Butenis and others who have her mentality in the diplomatic community in Colombo, will increase their interference andƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Sri Lanka and her elected representatives will pay a heavy price because of it’sƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ carelessness, lackadaisicalƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ attitude and impression ofƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ servility to the western “masters”.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚
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It is hoped thatƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ government concern will translate immediately into positive action even at this late stage and that a coherent policy will be implemented to uphold the dignity of the country.
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Yours truly,
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚
Ira de Silva
London, Ontario
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚
November 29th, 2011 at 4:34 pm
I have no idea who minister Sirisena is.But it is obvious that some of these ministers do not even deserve to be even in the parliament.That is why they have this inferiority complex and treat these western diplomats like royalty.The way those thugs behaved in the parliament during the budget speech is is not only a disgrace to the country, but they have let down the Hon President as well.It is time the Hon President take a stand against these political goons and kick them out of the parliament.
Coming back to Mr Sirisena, it is time the government get proactive in the diplomatic front and send a clear message to the western countries that we are capable of looking after ourselves. Tell them not to preach what they don’t practice in human rights etc.
November 29th, 2011 at 5:43 pm
“It goes without saying that the U.S., U.K., Australia, New Zealand and the E.U. are all looking at ways to get together to achieve this goal which is primarily to satisfy voters in the Tamil diaspora who are supporters of the LTTE and funded terrorism in Sri Lanka from their respective countries”
It is not just the Tamil terrorist in these countries who act against the SL goventment and for the Tamil terrorists. It is all of the with Indian extraction. They are the Persons of Indian Origin and Non Resident Indians.
They may come from Tanzania (One of the PIO who supports Tamil terrorism in Canada came from Tanzania), other African countries, Fiji,mauritius of India itself.
Yasmin Sooka who wrote the UNSG’s (Darusman) report is a PIO from KwaZulu Natal of South Africa and Navanatham Pillayan (Navi Pillai is the same. Vijay Nambiar is a NRI and is the most powerful office boy in the UN.
November 29th, 2011 at 8:25 pm
I think the Writer has got completely wrong this.
If you read reason news reports that VVIPs of the Sri Lankan govt are aligned very much with the US and US also has contacts with every fraction of politicians in Sri Lanka. So, what we talk here are mostly irrelevant.
So, the the Sri Lankan govt is worried that they cannot do everything as they want and US is looking into that.
I think I am correct though many who talk for the govt will disagree.
November 29th, 2011 at 8:48 pm
India, or US or any other country has no right to interfere with the inetrnal affairs of Ceylon (Sr Lanka) without its invitation.
it is not a issue of who is for the government or against the government.
The majority of the country should decide what they want without any external interference.
To That end all Sinhalese in the country should unite .
November 29th, 2011 at 9:20 pm
As long as 25% of our exports which are easily replaceable go to USA, they will continue to put pressure. We need to build a competitive economy based on value added goods and services. We need to diversify our export earnings by product and region. Having the right export partner also helps.
Over 40% of Singapore’s exports are to China. Singapore can expect China to be sensible in trade without dictating political terms.
Ditching the previous donors’ circle (co-chairs) is a good decision. Now we can borrow at lower rates and no political conditions (which translates to a reduced overall cost).
November 29th, 2011 at 9:57 pm
We talk here and it is all theory.
One Reason is we are a small country. another reason, we are begging aids from all over the world.
When Tamils are here, we cannot say no to India or have said No to India if India insisted on something. WE gave the Tank farm, we gave the 13th amendment. We have given Tamils semi- state status in both the North and East.
It is the same with USA.
WE just talk here big, but we can not do it.
November 30th, 2011 at 5:13 am
The problems of the Island nation is not alien to it, it is a pa problem to similar countries.
first the majority people should unite like in Singapore and Malasia.
Then the control of the economy should be taken over by the majority same as Singapore and Malasia.
What has been happening in the Island nation since 1951 should be reversed.
November 30th, 2011 at 5:15 am
There are lot of Indians money behind the Democrats and of course a number of high ranking oficials of Indian origin.
November 30th, 2011 at 8:41 am
LTTE money makes Hilary talk… She is moving the whole State Department against Sri Lanka for her personal gains! That’s why her Dog also visits Sri Lanka from time and time to check on us.
November 30th, 2011 at 1:22 pm
USA is not doing us a favor by allowing our garment exports. They do it because that’s all they can afford.
That doesn’t give them the right to interfere. What logic is that?