MP Thewarapperuma shatters Sison’s dreams
Posted on June 28th, 2014
Courtesy Sunday Observer
Certain countries in the West have already begun their rounds with lavish and expert funding for a regime change. Knowing only too well that it would be hard to challenge the popularity of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, certain elements in the West have resorted to various other tactics.
Surveys by three Western missions here have disclosed that President Rajapaksa would easily win the next Presidential election which is likely to be held next year. Greatly disturbed by the outcome of their surveys, these missions are now adopting various tactics.
Ever since the plans for an early Presidential election were speculated in political circles, lavish funding has filled the coffers of certain NGOs which are notorious for sinister anti-Government and anti-Sri Lanka campaigns. Making the best use of these NGO goons who are greedy for money, certain INGOs are spearheading these campaigns under the direction of certain Western missions in Colombo.
Meanwhile, Kalutara District UNP parliamentarian Palitha Thewarapperuma has evaded a Western trap by putting country before self. The MP was in the news after he was assaulted by unruly mobs during recent unfortunate incidents in Aluthgama and Beruwala.
The US Ambassador in Sri Lanka Michele J. Sison showed her unbelievable concern for Opposition parliamentarians in Sri Lanka when she called Thewarapperuma last week. A surprise call from the US Embassy in Colombo made Thewarapperuma to think twice. Ambassador Sison came on line and requested a one-to-one meeting with the MP on Thursday.
…consults Ranil before meeting Sison
Before meeting the US Ambassador, Palitha Thewarapperuma consulted his party leader – Opposition leader Ranil Wickremesinghe. While giving the green light, Ranil cautioned how he should face the meeting. MP Thewarapperuma knew exactly what was on store though he responded to her request.
Sison fired the first question soon after welcoming the MP on Thursday morning. What happened in Beruwala and Aluthgama?”
It wasn’t a communal problem between the Sinhalese and Muslims. It was a job of extremist looters. That was clear though some try to project it as communal riots,” he said, much to the disappointment by the US Ambassador.
It was obvious that all questions fired by Ambassador Sison were pointed at one particular target and to use the MP’s evidence to paint a dismal picture of the country.
Despite being an Opposition MP, Thewarapperuma did not wish to play the role of a traitor by betraying the motherland.
Did you intervene because there was a political problem?,” was Sison’s second question.
There was no political problem at all. I intervened to protect people. The Sinhalese and Muslims in the area have voted for me. I went there to assist those people,” the MP replied.
Is there a threat to your life?” she asked but Thewarapperuma replied in the negative and said that he is safe in the country.
In case you encounter problems and face life threats, please speak to us. We will take care of you,” Sison promised.
At the same time, she has asked certain other questions to ascertain the possibility of the MP joining Government ranks, which was none of her business.
Will you quit the UNP?” she asked. Never! I created a name for myself in politics through the UNP. Hence, I would never desert the party and crossover to another political party,” he replied.
She had even inquired whether the MP faced threats from the Government but Thewarapperuma said no” firmly. But Sison offered political asylum to Thewarapperuma in case he faces threats in the future.
Ambassador Sision has said that the US will welcome all efforts made by Sri Lankan politicians to change the negative image that had been created in the minds of international community that the majority Sinhalese were harassing the minorities. The UNP MP informed the US envoy that nearly 26 houses of Sinhalese had also been damaged in the clashes. Thewarapperuma told Sison that over 95 percent of the Sinhalese reject extremism and only a handful were engaged in extremist acts.
Ranil admits UNP’s failure in 1983
June 28th, 2014 at 3:35 pm
Harassing minorities is wide spread in Europe, USA and in Australia.
See how blacks and muslims are treated in europe. See how muslims, Native americans and Africans live in the USA.
In Australia, Aborigines are treated like thrash.
June 28th, 2014 at 4:41 pm
BLATANT “Operation Regime Change” by US-funded NGO!
No foreign country should be ALLOWED TO DICTATE who does what within sovereign Sri Lanka.
KICK these BUGGERS out of Sri Lanka, without further ado, and prosecute their Sri Lankan Collaborators under the Anti-Treason Laws!
…………………………..
Ahead of Presidential polls:Govt. troubled by US-funded project
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Island.lk
June 27, 2014
The government would investigate local NGOs involved in an unprecedented US project meant to influence the electorate ahead of national level elections next year, a senior government spokesman said yesterday.
The official alleged that the US was planning to fund those who have been opposed to SLFP-led coalition, in accordance with an overall plan to undermine the government.
Asked whether the government would take it up with the US embassy, the official said that it was in the process of gathering information. The USAID was looking for local NGOs to implement a project called ‘Election Support through Voter Education (ESVE) programme which was nothing but a ruse to turn people against the government, the official said. Calling the US project ‘Operation Regime Change’, the official said that it had been brought to the notice of the Defence as well as External Affairs Ministries.
Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa told The Island that the ESVE was yet another project aimed at weakening the government in the run-up to the next election. Acknowledging the possibility of President Mahinda Rajapaksa calling presidential polls next year, the Defence Secretary said that some foreign powers were evidently trying to prop up the opposition.
The Defence Secretary said that Sri Lankans had voted at many elections since Independence from the British, and how the US was now planning to teach them of their role and responsibilities. The outspoken official said that local NGOs had collected millions of rupees from various embassies over the years for election monitoring process and campaigning for violence-free polls.
Now, the US wanted our NGOs to go a step further, the Defence Secretary said, adding that the project would be closely monitored.
The government placed all NGOs under Defence Ministry purview to prevent various funding agencies from using them as tools to destabilize the country as it was done in many other countries. The government has accused some NGOs of collaborating with the LTTE.
Defence Secretary Rajapaksa said that an urgent inquiry was need to ascertain the amount of funds received by major NGOs since the signing of the Norwegian-arranged Ceasefire Agreement (CFA) on February 21, 2002. Most of those major recipients of foreign funding had been involved in activities inimical to national security as well as economic interests, the Defence Secretary said. Responding to a query, the Defence Secretary pointed out that as the Norwegians had revealed the beneficiaries of their funding, other countries too, could reveal the funds made available to local NGOs.
The Defence Secretary said that those wanting to teach the electorate how to behave remained mum when the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) on behalf of the LTTE declared during the second week of November 2005 that Tamil speaking people shouldn’t exercise their franchise at the November 17, 2005 presidential polls. They also turned a blind eye to a damning EU report that dealt with LTTE-TNA nexus at the Dec 2001 parliamentary polls, the Defence Secretary said.
Asked whether investigations into NGO activity would further antagonize donors, the Defence Secretary said that Sri Lanka wasn’t the only country to investigate NGOs. Referring to recent Indian media reports concerning an investigation undertaken by the Intelligence Bureau there , the Defence Secretary emphasized donors couldn’t challenge the right of governments to place NGOs under scrutiny.
June 28th, 2014 at 4:54 pm
“Ahead of Presidential polls: Govt. troubled by US-funded project”
So what is the solution?
Bring back the “LTTE” and WIPE OUT these criminals.
Just ask a simple question. Why weren’t all these JIHADISTS and REGIME CHANGE jokers around when the LTTE was around? The answer will baffle MOST people.
Because the “LTTE” would KILL them! Get it?
Who killed T Maheswaran? “LTTE”
Who killed Raviraj? “LTTE”
Who killed Jihad Razeek? “LTTE”
“LTTE” should be used as a cover (AT LEAST) to wipe out all terrorists including regime change agents. We MUST play the dirty games they play. Otherwise we CANNOT survive.
June 29th, 2014 at 4:45 am
Why don’t we kick these guys out of country. Russia just kicked out USAID why not us. USAID head is an Indian guy who is a henchman of Billary.
June 29th, 2014 at 1:50 pm
After reading the article I am amazed that the MP was so polite to such impertinent questions. simply put unless Sri Lanka makes Buddhism a state faith then Islam will eventually take full control of Sri Lanka and Tamil will replace Sinhalese. It may take decades but going by the Elam war and the rapid spread of Islam in a secular Sri Lanka there is really nothing to stop them.
June 30th, 2014 at 1:29 pm
When many Sinhalese would betray the country for a foreign trip or a few dollars, it is indeed very great this MP refused asylum in a country like in the US. A real son of Mother Lanka! We must be proud of Mr. Thewarapperuma!
July 1st, 2014 at 4:17 am
Samanthi, If he was what you thought he was,he should have told her to mind her own business when she asked all those impertinent questions. And no one is in any doubt that Sisson is not interested in MP’s well being but try to use him if possible in their regime change project. However, the MP deserves some credit for not falling in to her trap.
July 1st, 2014 at 6:46 pm
NAK, Thank you for your comment. But don’t forget that even if the MP is in the wrong political party of the day, he still is a great Sinhalese. We Sinhalese have a long history of hospitality and a real Sinhalese never insult even an enemy who visited him. Altough the present US Ambassador is trying her best to work against Sri Lanka, she is hear on the invitation of the Govt. of Sri Lanka to represent her country.