Should USAID continue in Sri Lanka?
Posted on July 7th, 2014
Shenali D Waduge
The American notion of promoting democracy is through quasi-private ‘foundations’. The ‘foundations’ tasked to overthrow governments are Albert Einstein Institute, National Endowment for Democracy (NED), International Republican Institute (IRI), National Democratic Institute (NDI), Freedom House, International Centre for Non-Violent Conflict (ICNC) to name just a few. These are steered by the financial branch of the US State Department – USAID.
What CIA initially did is now handed over to select INGOs. NED’s first president, Allen Weinstein, admitted openly that “a lot of what we do today was done covertly 25 years ago by the CIA. “. “An NGO helps to maintain a certain credibility abroad that an official US government agency might not have” 97% of NED’s funding comes from the US state department (through USAID). NED’s success stories include interventions “to protect the integrity of elections in the Philippines, Pakistan, Taiwan, Chile, Nicaragua, Namibia, Eastern Europe and elsewhere.” The list also includes victorious overthrows of democratically-elected governments in Bulgaria (1990), Albania (1992) and Haiti (late 1990s) and destabilisation in Panama, Cuba and Venezuela.
USAID is the entity tasked to promote economic and strategic interests of the US. Coloured revolutions occur in nations with strategic, natural resources (gas, oil), military bases and geopolitical interests and in countries that are anti-imperialist by harnessing pro-capitalist pro-imperialist groups tapping into their self-interests.
The clues to identify ‘coloured revolutions’ sponsored by US is not difficult and once millions of dollars are disbursed to buy over the souls of people willing to betray their own then these pawns would be told what to say, what to do, how to say – they end up robots programmed from Washington.
Anyone willing to sell their soul betray their country and align to the Western agenda is welcomed on board. They are paid, they are sent overseas and trained and they are the supposed ‘colored revolution’ coming out into the streets. The spontaneity of these ‘coloured revolutions’ are such that they have even time to prepare logos, t-shirts, colorful placards and banners! Their instant protests are such that they even have time to create websites, twitter accounts, facebook pages while been handed galaxy notebooks, latest phones and other sophisticated technology. When the son of the much ranted missing cartoonist is also included into this training by the West one has to wonder whether he may be somewhere known to them!
The target groups are generally : political parties, NGOs, student organizations, youth movements, trade unions, lawyers, media and even public officials.
- Serbia – OTPOR group took to the streets with t-shirts, posters, flags in an attempt to overthrow Slobadan Milosevic. the logo was a black and white closed fist resembling resistance.
- Ukraine – the closed fist color changed to orange (‘Orange Revolution – 2005) (Ukraine is needed for NATO’s east expansion – “Ukraine, a new and important space on the Eurasian chessboard, is a geopolitical pivot because its very existence as an independent country helps to transform Russia. Without Ukraine, Russia ceases to be a Eurasian empire … if Moscow regains control over Ukraine, with its 52 million people and major resources, as well as access to the Black Sea, Russia automatically again regains the wherewithal to become a powerful imperial state.” With the accession of the Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland to NATO by 1999, Ukraine remained the last frontier, the single largest buffer on the Russia-Nato “border”. According to Congressman Ron Paul, the US allocated $60 million for financing the orange revolution “through a series of cut-out NGOs – both American and Ukrainian
- Georgia – the closed fist color became rose (Rose Revolution – 2003-2004)
- Venezuela – the fist turned to open hands in black and white (In 2003, year after the failed coup d’etat, AEI gave a 9day course to Venezuelan opposition on how to ‘restore democracy’ – participants of the seminar were opposition political parties, NGO activists, Unions. They were taught how to ‘overthrow a dictator’. In 2005, AEI chose students & youth who received $9million from USAID and NED. Freedom House joined to train youth opposition movement providing them regime change techniques. The US went so far as to set up CATO institute inside Venezuela to train opposition youth. These youth are todays opposition politicians.
- Kyrgyzstan – ‘Tulip Revolution’ April 2005
USAID has a history of criminalities. Its ‘democracy’ involved providing cover for CIA operatives in South Vietnam. ‘Democracy’ USAID style has been to pump millions to support pro-Western media outlets and any organizations and activists ready to do whatever the US wishes to topple the government and allow the Western corporate interests to take over a sovereign nation. Thus, when pro-Western media and media personnel start chanting Western human rights slogans it is because lump sums of cash have been deposited to their bank accounts. The workshops that prevails throughout Sri Lanka and the citizenship programs the US is holding translates to just one understanding – you will be handsomely rewards even with green cards! To many the opportunity to live in US is a chance that overrules one’s own guilt of betraying one’s nation.
In 1970, USAID trained 30,000 Guantemalan police to suppress local leftists, Mayan peasants were killed by death squads under US-backed dictator Rios Montt. Obama’s own mother Stanley Ann Dunham has been linked to the CIA, she acted as the USAID’s chief employee to help Suharto create the New Order.
All these ‘democratic’ movements were spearheaded by Washington through various INGOS.
The other clues to watch out for :
- protests/destabilizing actions / sudden demonstrations (ex Weliweriya / Hanwella)
- Protests are planned around elections, in Sri Lanka’s case Geneva (notice how C4 always releases a new video, notice how books get released, notice the press conferences and release of ‘statistics’ and other data to create a guilt notion and raise tensions, notice too how \
- The agencies used are almost always the same – they are USAID, NED, NDI, IRI, Freedom House, AEI, ICNC.(AEI & ICNC take pride in training youth movements to encourage ‘non-violent’ change.
All public protests have seen the involvement of USAID. As an example we shall take the case of how USAID operates in Venezuela.
Eva Golinger claims that there are 2 public leaders behind the violent protests and they both have a long history of functioning as agents of Washington. We can give similar names in Sri Lanka.
Eva goes on to say that the NED and USAID have channeled millions to political parties for their electoral campaigns ($14million between 2013 and 2014). This is something all countries target of regime change will relate to. US has been trying to topple Venezuela since 2001. USAID has also opened an Office of Transition Initiatives with NED pumping more than $100m. OTI had to close shop after being exposed in 2011.
Like everywhere ‘civil society’ becomes the easy path to funnel millions of dollars to execute regime change. The US Foreign Operations Budget allocates $5-6m to fund opposition groups in Venezuela. If such budget allocations are meant for regime change it is natural that Sri Lanka has every right to question how far Sri Lanka’s opposition groups are being funded by the same sources. What may be of interest to Sri Lanka is how the NED funded the opposition coalition in Venezuela.
With such a dark history the US Government or its envoys cannot take offence when we doubt their motives because these motives have had results and countries have been toppled.
There is nothing democratic about the ‘democracy promotion programs’ and Sri Lanka has every right to question why US should wish to do workshops on how to teach us to vote when our women have been voting far before Americans.
While the public are clear about who the country’s enemies and friends are, the GOSL appears not to be. By and large the fault for that lies in the ‘no free lunch’ deal and as a developing nation we have failed to set our own programs to break away from the foreign aid menace that binds the nation and generations into debt.
We have failed to use the aid for sustainable home grown programs that would reduce being drawn to the curse of taking aid to pay debts and thus increasing the debt as well as interest as well. Sri Lanka must be one of the few countries that draws out red carpets to organizations like the World Bank and the IMF the imperialists that use structural adjustment programs to make the common man’s life in a worst state.
There are brave men still. Chavez may be no more but there is Bolivian President Evo Morales. He shutdown the USAID in Bolivia. He has even called for the dismantling of the UN.
There is also Russian President Vladimir Putin who told USAID to quit Russia in 2012. USAID had been funding NGOs with links to terrorists in Chechnya and Dagestan
With the hype on social media and communication it is no surprise how USIAD has been quick to manipulate twitter as was seen in the Cuban twitter – ZunZuneo, a system with the aim to establish regime change and cost the US $1.6m. There are scores of Sri Lankan youth similarly engaged.
In February Nigeria, the National Security Advisory Committee (NSAC) asked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to summon officials of USAID for funding ‘activists” to topple the government. Chairman of The National Security Advisory Committee , Francis Kimemia accused USAID of funding a pastor to slander the Nigerian parliament. That USAID is using proxy civil society organizations to get witnesses for the Hague based International Criminal Court declared by lawyer Karim Khan for William Ruto shows relevance to UNHRC resolutions backed by US against Sri Lanka.
If USAID has a history of involvement in regime change, overthrowing governments and destabilizing nations, USAID Sri Lanka cannot be functioning any differently. USAID is now involved in the mischief of putting the minorities against the majority, dividing the Buddhists, dividing the ethnic groups, dividing the religious groups – all in a bid to play mischief with the numbers that lead to election victory. The game is all about the numbers and it is a pity that politicians both in government and opposition fail to keep the majority in tact for they are the only source for a firm government and a strong nation.
Having said that, knowing the capabilities of the USAID the next question is what is the Sri Lankan Government going to do about USAID and its dirty practices? Obviously, registering NGOs and keeping a tab on them is a must, but there are NGOs who have infiltrated the system probably by pocketing a few public officials with bags of goodies and handouts. One cannot rule out the possibilities of Ministers/MPs themselves falling prey to these handouts given the scale of corruption that prevails. This leads us next to ask how best are we to defend the nation when there are those in office prepared to sacrifice the country. What the nation needs to realize is that we are riding on luck far too much.
We need to take some action and in taking action we have every right to, as other countries have done, show with examples how USAID has been manipulating people with money and goodies and people of all ranks and file have fallen prey.
July 7th, 2014 at 7:08 am
” Architects of power must create a force that can be felt but not be seen. Power remains strong when it remains in the dark, exposed to sunlight it begins to evaporate” Samuel Hutington.
Sri Lanka has experienced power by the many invasions from South India. She has experienced it again under Colonial rule and now under the might of the USA. Sri Lanka has also experienced her own power from within as demonstrated by the Sanga and the many noble Sinhalese Buddhist rulers who shaped her history.
Once a nation has the power she best use it or that power is lost for it is fickle. Buddhist Sri Lanka survived because she exercised the power inherent in an island nation and in the determination of her people to ward off foreign intrusions Sri Lanka would not be a Buddhist nation today if she did not have to fight for it and she fought to keep Buddhism and the Buddhist civilization for most of her 2500 year long written history.
In the dawn of the 21st century Buddhist Sri Lanka defeated the separatist forces of Hindu Tamils and now has to fight against even larger forces emanating from the Western world and the Islamic world. But her biggest war is the enemy within. That enemy is those who pander to the Muslims and other minorities such as Colombo and the minorities themselves.
I quote Marcus Tullius Cicero that famous Roman philosopher and politician during the time of Julius Ceasor:
“A nation can survive its fools, and even the ambitious. But it cannot survive treason from within. An enemy at the gates is less formidable, for he is known and carries his banner openly. But the traitor moves amongst those within the gate freely, his sly whispers rustling through all the alleys, heard in the very halls of government itself. For the traitor appears not a traitor; he speaks in accents familiar to his victims, and he wears their face and their arguments, he appeals to the baseness that lies deep in the hearts of all men. He rots the soul of a nation, he works secretly and unknown in the night to undermine the pillars of the city, he infects the body politic so that it can no longer resist. A murderer is less to fear.”
July 8th, 2014 at 1:39 pm
USAID, and all other iNGO’s interfering in Sri Lanka’s internal politics, attempting to undermine and destabilize the popularly ELECTED government of Sri Lanka, should be IMMEDIATELY EXPELLED!
Their local NGO proxies working hand-in-glove with these enemies of Sri Lanka should be forthwith SHUTDOWN.
There are ONLY negative impacts from their presence; no benefits at all! OUT with these RASCALS!
July 8th, 2014 at 1:42 pm
OH! NO! Don’t back down now!
Don’t just RESTRICT THESE iNGOs; KICK the RASCALS OUT of Sri Lanka, IMMEDIATELY!
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Sri Lanka NGOs not restricted in their work, Defense Ministry clarifies
ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka.
July 08, Colombo: Sri Lanka’s Defense Ministry clarifying an announcement made by the National Secretariat for Non-Governmental Organization (NGOs), a body functioning under the Ministry of Defense, said the media reports have misinterpreted the announcement.
Spokesperson of the Media Centre of the Ministry of Defense Brigadier Ruwan Wanigasooriya told media that the National Secretariat for Non-Governmental Organizations has reminded NGOs only to act according to the mandate issued by the letter of its Director/Registrar Mr. D.M.S. Dissanayake.
Addressing a press briefing Tuesday, Brigadier Wanigasooriya said the Defense Ministry said it has instructed the NGOs to adhere to the specified regulations governing the NGOs and there was no truth to the reports that said strict controls have been placed on the NGOs.
Director Dissanayake in a circular said yesterday that it has been revealed to the Defense Ministry that the NGOs are acting beyond their mandate and conduct press conferences, workshops, training for journalists, and dissemination of press releases.
He said such activities carried out by the NGOs were beyond their mandate and asked all non-governmental organizations to prevent from such unauthorized activities with immediate effect.
Clarifying a general perception that it is an attempt to restrain the NGO’s work Brigadier Wanigasooriya said that it is a false report disseminated to misguide the public.
The Spokesman said the NGOs had only been asked not to exceed their mandate through this letter.
Brigadier Wanigasooriya further noted that his office examines all aspects such as the trustee of the NGO concerned, its funding sources, vision and mission, programme of work and the officials, before registering it.
He pointed out the Acts that are in force and the prevailing legal background are clearly mentioned in the NGO Secretariat’s website . There are no any legal provisions to act beyond the Mandate, he stressed.
July 8th, 2014 at 2:10 pm
MOD has no backbone. With UNHRC trying to investigate, MOD has become cowards trying to PLEASE everyone.
July 8th, 2014 at 2:25 pm
Breaking news. Wimal joins Sobitha!!
“UPFA constituent, the National Freedom Front (NFF) yesterday entered into an agreement with Ven. Maduluwawe Sobitha Thera on an action plan to pressure the government to introduce political reforms. Ven. Sobitha tipped to be the Opposition common presidential candidate and Minister Weerawansa declared their resolve to work together.”
I say GOOD MOVE. The govt. is going the WRONG WAY.
July 8th, 2014 at 4:20 pm
Both are useless. Let them join.
July 9th, 2014 at 1:02 pm
Here is a puppet created with USAID, now moving to CHALLENGE the GOSL, and give it US AIDS!
The ELECTED Govt of Sri Lanka has to ASSERT its authority within Sri Lanka, or NGO lawlessness will soon spiral out of control, with foreigners calling the shots on how Sri Lanka should be governed.
PUNISH these created-on-the-fly “good governance” proxies by IMPRISONING THEIR LEADERS, CONFISCATING their PERSONAL and business property (OUCH!), and banning the miscreants from POLITICS for good!
It should be MADE INCREDIBLY PAINFUL for traitors to undermine Sri Lanka at the behest of foreign PAYMASTERS.
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Civil Society organization to defy Sri Lanka Defense Ministry restriction on NGOs
ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka.
July 09, Colombo: The Civil Society Collective (CSC), an umbrella organization of the Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO) in Sri Lanka said today the move by the Defense Ministry to ban NGOs from conducting news conferences and workshops was unconstitutional and therefore they would ignore the ban.
A circular from the NGO Secretariat, an institution under the Defense Ministry announced that the NGOs are not allowed to hold news conferences, workshops, training of journalists and issuing news releases stating these activities went beyond their mandate.
JC Weliamuna, a lawyer from the CSC told media on Wednesday that the Defense Ministry’s order was “absolutely unconstitutional” and violated the public’s rights of freedom of association and expression.
“We strongly condemn this detrimental move. This is a serious blow to democracy in the country. We as part of civil society have the right to freedom of speech and association. The Defence Ministry has gone beyond its mandate by issuing this circular. We prefer to ignore the ban as it is illegal and have decided to carry out our programs as usual,” the CSC said.
The Asian Human Rights Commission meanwhile said the Defense authority has acted beyond its mandate by the move to restrict NGOs.
“The conduct of the MoD in issuing such communication further strengthens the allegation that Sri Lanka has now become an Authoritarian State,” the Asian Human Rights Commission said.
The CSC urged the Defense Ministry to withdraw the circular immediately and warned of legal action if it was serious about implementing it.
July 9th, 2014 at 1:06 pm
And right on CUE, as its own PUPPET PROXIES open the battle, the US piously pontificates on its “concern over restrictions on NGOs”!
My, how transparent they are!
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U.S. expresses concern over restrictions on Sri Lanka’s NGOs
ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka.
July 09, Washington, DC: The United States Tuesday expressed concern on reports that Sri Lankan Ministry of Defense has ordered registered Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and civil society groups to cease their media engagements and activities.
Director of Sri Lanka’s National Secretariat for Non-Governmental Organization (NGOs), a body functioning under the Ministry of Defense, in a circular to the NGOs said Monday that it has been revealed to the Defense Ministry that the NGOs are acting beyond their mandate and conduct press conferences, workshops, training for journalists, and dissemination of press releases.
He said such activities carried out by the NGOs were beyond their mandate and asked all non-governmental organizations to prevent from such unauthorized activities with immediate effect.
U.S. State Department Spokesperson Jen Psaki in a press release said the Defense Ministry’s order “undermines Sri Lanka’s longstanding and proud democratic traditions, including freedom of speech and freedom of assembly.”
“We strongly urge the Government of Sri Lanka to allow civil society organizations and NGOs, which play a vital role in supporting Sri Lanka’s democratic values, to operate freely,” the spokesperson said.
Sri Lanka’s Defense Ministry Spokesman Brigadier Ruwan Wanigasooriya said the NGOs through this letter had only been asked not to exceed their mandate which is clearly stated in the Voluntary Social Service Organizations [Registration and Supervision] Act Number 31 of 1980 that govern the NGOs.
There are no any legal provisions to act beyond the Mandate, he noted.
July 9th, 2014 at 1:34 pm
Colored “abayas” are BETTER than black abayas, but NO ABAYAS is BEST!
Let us do as that bastion of Democratic Virtue, the French Government, does, and say “When in Sri Lanka, do as the Sri Lankans do”.
Religion does not need OVERT DISPLAYS of piety. GET RID of this FOREIGN GARMENT that is creeping up on Muslim women in Sri Lanka to IMPRISON them.
The Muslims of Sri Lanka should go the EXTRA MILE and GET RID of this TERRIBLE GARMENT that IMPRISONS their women, and allow them to live FREELY like other Sri Lankans.
Clearly, Woman, like Man, was BORN FREE, but yet, EVERYWHERE SHE LIES BOUND IN CHAINS!
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Sri Lankan Muslims launch ‘colored abayas’ campaign to alleviate fears among majority community
ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka.
July 09, Colombo: A leading Muslim organization in Sri Lanka, Muslim Council of Sri Lanka (MCSL) has launched a campaign aiming to alleviate fears among the majority Sinhala community against the Abaya and Niqab worn by Muslim women covering most of their bodies.
The MCSL is conducting a campaign to persuade Muslim women to give up black abaya and instead wear colored ones to make the Islamic sartorial custom more acceptable to the Sinhalese majority in the country.
The campaign, called ‘Bring your black abayas, we will give you colored abayas’,is implemented in the hope of making the abaya – the loose outer garment worn by Muslim women as a cloak to cover the body from the shoulders to the feet- more acceptable to the majority community.
“When everybody is in black, it gives the impression that we are a uniformed force. And the niqab has raised security concerns,” says an advisor to the All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama.
The black abaya and the niqab have been heavily criticized by the Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) and other Buddhist extremist organizations attributing the garment to Islamic extremism.
President of MCSL says that new abayas will be obtained and distributed soon under this project.
July 9th, 2014 at 6:07 pm
They must wear the same cloths as others, except when they are going to worship their God. As simple as that.