RANJITH SOYSA

With reference to the reports published in many news sources  and Sunday Island, The US ambassador had met a senior Army Officer and discussed “the need to build trust with the minorities to ensure lasting peace”. US ambassador’s blatant interference in domestic issues and her audacity to convey her proposal how to ensure lasting peace is an attempt to twist a person around one’s small finger. The proper forum for US Ambassador is to express her wishes should be with the President or the Prime Minister who executes policy for the country. Army Officers and other senior officials are there to conduct the policy decisions of the Government and should never be told by foreign personnel how to run the security establishment. US Ambassador who encouraging the Aragalya participants to resort to violence and rise against the establishment is now seen extending her hand to selected  minority groups discussing their issues. The President and the PM should make note of the overtures made by her as she can motivate the extreme factions among the minorities to cause another Aragalya

The Vienna Convention on diplomatic relations, article 41 says.

Article 41 1. Without prejudice to their privileges and immunities, it is the duty of all persons enjoying such privileges and immunities to respect the laws and regulations of the receiving State. They also have a duty not to interfere in the internal affairs of that State. 2.All official business with the receiving State entrusted to the mission by the sending State shall be conducted with or through the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the receiving State or such other ministry as may be agreed. 3.The premises of the mission must not be used in any manner incompatible with the functions of the mission as laid down in the present Convention ….

The US Ambassador’s discussion with the senior army officer and with the minority groups or Aragalaya representatives vitiate the article 41 .1 of the Vienna Convention as she MUST conduct her activities preferably with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or such other Ministry.

Let me also draw the attention of the Ambassador to the marginalized minorities in the USA who were revolting against the US Govt’s policies as we can remember the activities of Black Lives Matter and recent demonstrations staged to commemorate 60^th anniversary of late Martin Luther King. The horrible treatment of the Latin American migrants held in Florida too is another sore factor. As they say, Charity begins at home. So, Dear Ambassador, try to devise methods to help the minorities in the USA before shedding crocodile tears for Sri Lanka.

RANJITH SOYSA