India-Sri Lanka, security concerns…………….
Posted on January 19th, 2012
Ranjith Soysa
In a recent statement,IndiaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s External Affairs Minister, S.M Krishna had emphasised on the inter-dependence of ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ the security ofIndiaandSri Lanka. The MinisterƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s statement is welcome and it is our hope thatIndiawill consider to re-visit the infamous Indo-Sri Lanka agreement forced on sovereignSri Lankain 1987.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ The agreement provided a road map for the de-construction ofSri Lankaignoring the strong historical , political and demographic facts. Further,Sri LankaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s internal security is being challenged by the Tamil separatist forces inSri Lankawho continue to seek redress by referring to the accord and lodging their racist appeals withIndiaand the Tamilnadu ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ extremists.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ If India is really interested in having a reliable neighbour in Sri Lanka backed by the majority of Sri Lankans , the Indo-Sri Lanka agreement should be annulled and the attention should be given to a more relevant an appropriate Friendship agreement assuring mutual co-operationƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ including the unconditional recognition of the sovereignty of Sri Lankan nation.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ The following humiliating sections in the ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”annexureƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢ to the agreement signed in 1987 should be cancelled soonest while strengthening India-Sri Lanka co-operation for the benefit of the both countries under an acceptable agreement.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ a)ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ that an understanding will be reached withIndiaconcerning the employment of foreign military and intelligence personnel inSri Lanka
b)ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ that Trincomalee or any other port inSri Lankawill not be made available for military use by any country in a manner prejudicial toIndiaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s interests.
c)ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ that the restoration and operation of Trincomalee tank farm will be undertaken as a joint venture betweenIndiaandSri Lanka.
d)ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ that foreign broadcasting firms will not use any facilities granted to them by Sri Lankafor any military or intelligence puporses.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ( The tank farm in Trinco is practically under the control ofIndia. The CPC is prevented from using even a single tank for the CPCƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s development work. In short, the tank farm which is an invaluable resource remains unutilized asIndiahas the final say!)
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ The Indo-Sri Lanka accord is not conducive to the national dignity ofSri Lankaand the majority Sri Lankans consider it as an awful piece of gun-boat
diplomacy which should be discarded for the mutual benefit ofIndiaƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ and Sri Lanka
Ranjith Soysa
January 19th, 2012 at 3:32 pm
Yes. This crap should be scrapped too.
We have already violated,
a) that an understanding will be reached withIndiaconcerning the employment of foreign military and intelligence personnel inSri Lanka
b) that Trincomalee or any other port inSri Lankawill not be made available for military use by any country in a manner prejudicial toIndia’s interests.
d) that foreign broadcasting firms will not use any facilities granted to them by Sri Lankafor any military or intelligence puporses.
Many foreign military and intelligence personnel work in SL without regard to India.
Both Colombo and Hambantota have Chinese majority stake.
Foreign broadcasters use Iranawila, etc. facilities for military and other purposes.
Chinese destroyers and other war ships regularly call on SL ports.
SL navy participate in military drills with US, etc. navies.
January 20th, 2012 at 2:10 am
The questions which arise from having such an Accord in place are, “what relvant Laws relate to Sri Lanka’s National Security” and “to what extent do these Laws reflect the importance of the Sri Lankan Government’s role in maintaining National Security”, viz, Sovereignty??
National Sovereignty, under the Accord, will be replaced by the Concept of Subsidiarity; under which decisions will be taken at the most appropriate level of Government (depending on their subjective matter and effect). However, the Concept becomes vague here because there is an International (as opposed to a Local) Government involved, and thereby, giving rise to the most paramount question re: Sovereignty, i.e. “who under the Accord is/decides the level” ; probably, ultimately, India!
What appears from this all is that “Sovereignty” is not a word in the dictionary of the Sri Lankan Legislator(s).
January 20th, 2012 at 12:05 pm
Thanks Ranjith for the useful info. provided. It makes me feel sick that we are still not independent but subservient to Indians and other foreigners. When will we get our dignity back ? When will wee learn ?
January 20th, 2012 at 1:06 pm
Wonder how people can NOT be subservient when settled down in the UK. Again loads and loads of crocodile tears from the UK.