{"id":112287,"date":"2021-03-03T17:48:19","date_gmt":"2021-03-04T00:48:19","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/?p=112287"},"modified":"2021-03-03T17:48:19","modified_gmt":"2021-03-04T00:48:19","slug":"a-raving-pastor-overrides-gotabayas-vision-of-vistas-of-prosperity","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/2021\/03\/03\/a-raving-pastor-overrides-gotabayas-vision-of-vistas-of-prosperity\/","title":{"rendered":"A Raving Pastor Overrides Gotabaya\u2019s Vision of ‘Vistas of Prosperity’"},"content":{"rendered":"

By\u00a0The Sri Lanka Study Circle\u00a0<\/em><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A monkey edict at the\ninstigation of the CORE group?  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reacting defensively to a\nscathing criticism of his fly-by night conduct, pastor Colombage, at a hastily\nconvened interview, with journalist Raymond, went on record to say, \u2018Sri\nLanka has a clear foreign policy; neutrality is the key and we want to maintain\nneutrality. We will not take sides and we will remain neutral. Technically, we\nare a Non-Aligned country but that is alright because we know Non-Alignment was\ncreated after World War 2 when the world was different to what it is now\u2019.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Has the pastor run mad? Why\ndid he utter such a devilish lie? Did he do so at the instigation of the CORE\ngroup with whom he is in deep dialogue? Was Colombage attempting to alienate\nour fellow members and friends in the Non-Aligned Movement, to ensure Sri Lanka\n\u2013in Colombage\u2019s words – \u2018surrenders after a (fake) fight\u2019? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Excerpts from Gota\u2019s vision\nof vistas of prosperity <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2019, 2\/3rds <\/sup>of\nthe people delegated their power to Rajapakse (GR), impressed\nby his projected political stance and their confidence in his pledge to\nimplement the stated goals during his watch; these were clearly enunciated in\nhis policy document touted as \u2018Gotabaya Rajapaksa\u2019s vistas of Prosperity and\nSplendour\u2019<\/strong>.    <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Chapter One of that\ndocument are enumerated the ten key priority policies of GR.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Top priority is given to\nNational Security. Next comes \u2018Foreign Policy\u2019; in that Policy document GR has\npledged to the people that the key to our Foreign Policy is\nNon-Alignment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gotabaya Rajapaksa Vistas\nof Prosperity and Splendour – My Vision\u2026  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our 10 Key Policies <\/p>\n\n\n\n

  1. P
    1. Priority to National Security <\/li>
    2. Friendly, Non-aligned, Foreign Policy <\/li><\/ol><\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

      priority to National Security\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      1. Friendly, Non-aligned, Foreign Policy <\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

        The Foreign Policy pledged\nis further elaborated in the Policy document thus: 2. Friendly, Non-aligned,\nForeign Policy The basis of our foreign policy will be ensure that Sri Lanka\u2019s\nterritorial integrity and independence are respected and protected in the\ninterests of the citizen and future generations of this country. It also aims\nto ensure that Sri Lanka\u2019s dignity as a sovereign nation is respected. No\nharmful agreements \/treaties will be entered into by our government. Our\nforeign policy will be based on non-alignment and mutual friendship and trust\namong nations<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Colombage shows his\ncontempt to the people <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Why then does pastor\nColombage barefacedly lie that the key to our Foreign Policy is Neutrality? He\ngives the impression of being the standard-bearer of the fifth columnists\naspiring to wreck the country from within; he is emerging as a major threat to\nthe National Security of Sri Lanka <\/p>\n\n\n\n

        And Colombage, whose\nForeign Ministry salary, emoluments and perks are met by the people of Sri\nLanka, shows utter contempt to those very people who overwhelmingly wanted the\ncountry to have Non-Alignment as the plank of the Country\u2019s Foreign Policy.\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Downright treachery? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        What is Colombage\u2019s motive?\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n

        The devious pastor is a\nmember of the CIA funded think tank, \u2018Centre for Indo-Lanka Initiatives\u2019; with\nhis present appointment in the Foreign Ministry Colombage has a definite\nconflict of interest.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

        It would be hard to counter\narguments by some critics who construe Colombage\u2019s conduct as downright\ntreachery. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Self-styled \u2018Professor\u2019\nunable to differentiate between Non-Alignment and Neutrality <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Colombage, a self-styled\n\u2018Professor\u2019 is unable to differentiate between \u2018Non-Alignment\u2019 and\n\u2018Neutrality\u2019. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

        The Non-Aligned Movement\ncame into being in 1961, following a meeting in 1955, in Bandung, of delegates\nfrom Nation States that had recently gained independence from the European\nColonial Powers.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

        These delegates had met to\nfind ways and means to protect their respective countries from being Colonised, ever, in\nthe future and to preserve the World order based on Multilateralism which\nrespects and recognises the Sovereign equality of all Nations.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Non-Alignment is the\nbiggest weapon in our armoury in our battle against big power hegemony.  <\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

        The delegates in Bandung,\nat that time, identified an emerging threat that could endanger the Sovereignty\nand Independence of their respective States; they saw through the US moves, the\nintention of the Americans to Colonise their Countries and impose a World Order\nbased on American Unilateralism which does not respect and recognise the\nSovereign equality of all nations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

        The Non-Alignment Movement\narose from the need to protect the Sovereignty of Nation States and the need to\nprotect the World Order that recognised and respected the Sovereign equality of\nNations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

        The Non-Alignment Movement\nis a principle-based organisation; it is based on the principles of the UN\nCharter which include non-intervention, non-aggression, international\nco-operation, mutual benefit and mutual respect and has no place for big-power\nhegemony.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Neutrality is a mongrel-\nlike Switzerland  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        In contrast, Neutrality is\na mongrel and has no principles. Nations adopting Neutrality end up\nmongrel-States.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

         For example, when\nGermany was engaged full time in the holocaust, setting up a master race,\nslaughtering millions of Jewish people in a campaign of mass murder and\ngenocide while robbing the victims of their wealth and belongings, Switzerland\nadopted a policy of \u2018Neutrality\u2019 and looked the other way, choosing to ignore\nwhat was happening  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

        And what did this mongrel\nState do? They, like as Pastor Colambage is suggesting, exploited the situation\nto act as an international fence, a dealer in stolen goods; Switzerland\npermitted the killers and rogues to keep their booty \u2018safely\u2019 in their country,\non paying Switzerland a percentage of money annually. That is Neutrality. That\npolicy still exists and perhaps is why Switzerland is regarded internationally\nas a \u2018pariah\u2019 State. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Colombage logic<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

        To give meaning to\n\u2018Neutrality\u2019 in the local context, when the local thug rapes, kills, robs and\nmaims individuals, Pastor Colombage\u2019s logic is that passers-by look the other\nway and if possible, flick his wallet and make a financial gain.  \n <\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Do not take sides says\nColombage, see what advantage you can take from this situation. What a man,\nwhat a disgrace! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

        The Non-Alignment Movement\ntakes a definite stand on global issues based on the very principles that the\nUN is structured on. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Why all countries in the\nNon-Aligned Movement must vote against the Resolution <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        The Resolution that is\nbeing debated in Geneva affects not just Sri Lanka alone, but all the\nNon-Aligned countries in the World. The Americans are using the Sri Lankan\nissue to change structures of the present Multilateral World Order to a\nUnilateral American World Order. This was clearly explained by that brilliant\nSri Lankan diplomat Tamara Kunanayakam, in her many interviews with the media.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Colambage, standing with\nthe fifth columnists on one side while the\npeople of Sri Lanka are on the opposite side, gives the impression of pushing\nthe American line. When the need of the hour is to talk with our friends,\ncomprising 35 of the 47-member assembly, Colombage is talking with our enemies\nwho brought the Resolution.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Colombage shies away from\npublic debate <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

          <\/strong>Many are clamouring for\nColombage to engage in a one-on-one prime time TV debate. From all accounts\nColombage is very reluctant to do so fearing he will be exposed.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

        The HRC procedure Sri Lanka\nmust follow to ensure a vote is called for  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        From all accounts there are\nmany countries that will stand-up for Sri Lanka and vote in her favour at\nvoting time. But there is a snag. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

        No vote can be taken unless\nanother country gets up, at decision-taking time, and informs the Chair of the\nHRC that they are speaking on behalf of Sri Lanka, that they reject the\nResolution and ask that a vote be taken.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Then only will the Chair\npermit a vote to be taken and the countries get an opportunity to vote.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

        That is the procedure. If\nwe do not follow this procedure even Dinesh Gunawardena\u2019s fiery rejection of\nthe Resolution will come to naught. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Unconfirmed reports suggest\nthat Colombage has not canvassed the friendly countries and has not requested\nany country to address the Chair, on behalf of Sri Lanka, at decision-taking\ntime. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

        If that were the case, when\nthe anti- Sri Lankan Resolution is taken up and silence follows, the Chair will\ninterpret the silence to mean that there are no objections to the Resolution\nand that \u2018Consensus\u2019 has been reached; he will bring down the gavel to record\nthat the Resolution was a Consensual one and adopted unanimously. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

        The result would be the\nsame as Mangala Co-sponsoring that infamous Resolution of 2015. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Insiders are puzzled; they\nask whether this is a ruse of the interloper in the Foreign Ministry who is\naware that 35 of the 47 members in the HRC are in the Non-Aligned Movement, the\nlargest organised group of Nations, next to the UN; the NAM has a membership of\n120 States. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

        What the vote means<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

        When the Countries vote,\nthere are two issues that will be determined by that one vote; the obvious is\nthe issue of the damnable lies in that anti – Sri Lankan Resolution.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

        The not-so-obvious issue,\ndeftly concealed in the Resolution, are the landmark changes being made to the\nGlobal Order which are precedent-setting and are in total violation of the UN\nCharter.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

        These changes would make\nall countries in the Global South vulnerable to American military intervention\nand aggression and vulnerable to illegal sanctions and embargos -not authorised\nby the UN Charter \u2013 that would result in the gross violation of basic Human\nRights of people in the affected countries.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n

        The concealed concepts in\nthe Resolution would deprive countries of their Armies to defend themselves\nbecause this Resolution permits the Americans to unilaterally pick-up heroic\nsoldiers from any country and incarcerate them in American prisons. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Colombage, an\ningratiating sycophant of the Americans, has not made one single statement\ncondemning this aspect of the Resolution. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

        The simple act of taking a\nvote at the HRC is a victory for Sri Lanka and the NAM <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Even one vote cast is a\nvictory for Sri Lanka and the Global South; it is a victory statement for the\nSovereignty of all Nation States and for the concept of sovereign equality of\nall Nations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

        There is not a sausage the\nHRC can do thereafter other than bringing in another Resolution the next Year\nor bringing it up at the UN Security Council where we have our friends who\nunderstand the vile American motives. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

        By\u00a0The Sri Lanka Study Circle\u00a0 A monkey edict at the instigation of the CORE group?   Reacting defensively to a scathing criticism of his fly-by night conduct, pastor Colombage, at a hastily convened interview, with journalist Raymond, went on record to say, \u2018Sri Lanka has a clear foreign policy; neutrality is the key and we […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":true,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[162],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-112287","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-sri-lanka-study-circle"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/112287","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=112287"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/112287\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=112287"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=112287"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=112287"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}