DIPLOMATIC BUNGLE OR A MISUNDERSTANDING? SRI LANKA CANADA ISSUE ON SANCTIONS
Posted on January 11th, 2023

Sarath Wijesinghe President’s Counsel former Ambassador to UAE and Israel Satath 7@hotmail.co.uk

Sanctions imposed by the Canadian government on four Sri Lankans including two Former Presidents ‘’Gotabays Rajapaksa’’,  ‘’Mahinds Rajapaksa’’ and two others are unprecedented and controversial as a step taken by a friendly country on another friendly country is extremely rare and taken only in very exceptional circumstances. Both countries have many similarities. Both Canada and Sri Lanka are members of Commonwealth countries and maintained friendly relations over a long periods especially during the time when ‘’Trudo’’ was the Prime Minister who maintained very close relations with Sri Lanka during the Summit headed by Sri Lanka and Prime Minister ‘’Sirimova Bandaraneika’’. Unfortunately things have changed with allegations by Canada on Human rights abuses by Sri Lanka and Sri Lanka in return on interference on internal matters of a sovereign state which are complicated and controversial matters based on diplomatic practices and foreign relation issues.

Bungling is blunder over mismanage, Is the mismanage of blander on diplomacy and international relations was made by Canada or Sri Lanka or both is an interesting matter to discuss. Management of the foreign policy properly is the task entrusted to the leader of the state and his team headed by the foreign Minister and the foreign Ministry of the country. Diplomacy and Foreign Relations are governed by the accepted conventions and practices based on diplomacy and diplomatic norms and practices adopted and practiced.

One of the vital instruments often used in this area is the Convention of Diplomatic Relations adopted and commenced in Viana in 1815 and Havana in 1928 subsequently improved due to practices and international documents adopted, Convention of Diplomatic Relations is the document that gives in detail the privileges immunities and functioning of the mission under the head of the state. Now the two heads of State are no longer hold office on  the sanctions are imposed may be effective and may  not enjoy the privileges and immunities as a head of a state /Diplomat except respect and recognition as a former head of the state. Former heads of State such as Nelson Mandala received recognition even after leaving power as they were not controversial unlike the two Sri Lankan former Presidents were controversial and targeted by certain human right groups and even Human Rights Commission which is a part of the UN system. Is it because the Two ‘’Rajapaksa’’ brothers bungled conduct of the management of human rights issues or the human rights groups targeting ‘’Rajapaksa’’ brothers were more powerful are matter that needs discussion in detail.

In Sri Lankan context they eradicated the war waged that lasted over three decades by LTTE claiming carving out a part of Sri Lanka for an independent state which was ferociously objected by the majority of Sri Lankans in the South that ignited the continuous war that the world and mainly the human rights groups were interested. After having won the war militarily in 2009 did governments under Rajapaksa’s take steps for peace and reconciliation adequately are matters to be discussed today. Ambassadors Forum published 8 volumes of foreign policy and two important volumes are on Geneva Process and the volume on Peace and Reconciliation with 50 chapters on the subject with suggestions and proposals on peace and reconciliation which is available free soft copies available at request.

Foreign and Relations are an important segments for a nation which are fore runners of the governance the governance must take notice of for a peaceful and prosperous nation to thrive. Do Sri Lanka have a proper foreign Policy maintain and conducting friendly relations with the rest of the world including Canada listening to the views of the friendly countries who are of the view that they have a legitimate avenue to inquire into the human rights abuses in another country despite the fact that nations are sovereign and no other party can intervene which has different viewpoints monitored and supervised by the UN subsidiary human rights instruments. A nation must have a proper and correct on country friendly foreign policy giving sufficient priority to economy and foreign relations. Is Sri Lanka living up to the expected standards is doubtful. A country must have a powerful foreign ministry and able group of Ambassadors to represent the nation to carry forward the vision and policies of the state and dealing in damage controls and promoting the image of the Nation. Is the Ministry of foreign affairs and the cluster of Ambassadors living up to the expectations and for the purposes is an interesting question international community is carefully watching? Definitely Canada has a questionable past and present n human rights issues when accusations are still made for hunting aborigines and denying some ethnic groups of privileges and rights in certain ethnic areas. These are matters that has to be resolved on discussions and arriving at conceptual agreements between and among parties. But in this instance have we bungled or misunderstood the issues?

Bungled or Misunderstood

This is a matter that should not have happened and resolved amicably. When you are a party of the group of nations each member should know the limitations, powers and responsibilities. We are a senior member of the United Nations and being a signatory we should know our obligations and conduct with other nation and the international organizations as we have to live with them and to abide by rules being dependant nation on others for assistance. Economically we are in a bad shape due to even after the continuous bad management and massive corruption by all successive governments which is a reality which we must agree and admit.

Unlike earlier we can no longer dictate terms to others nor to have independent views. Even after the decisive decisions by the friendly country mislead by us and some member of the community and NGO s we do not appear to hand the issue well using diplomatic skills and previous goodwill through the High Commissioner who is directly responsible to the bungling of the unfortunate episode reaching out of control. Sri Lankan High Commissioner in Canada has to play a pivot role in the resolution of the issue using his good office. In Canada and minority Tamils are in large number to influence the government during lections and otherwise as they hold important positions to influence and misdirect the government against the Sri Lankan state they have a grievance. Sri Lankan State should be aware of the ground situation and international realities and take steps accordingly. We wish and hole the Sri Lankan government will understand and appreciate therealiaties and take steps accordingly. 

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