‘Patriotism is in my blood but a govt sans foreign policy is another issue’ - govt clerk
By Elmo Leonard
WK Wijedasa, a government clerk was sorry beyond words that Sri Lanka was out voted at the recent Human Rights Council sessions in Geneva. Wijedasa’s father Sumith was a staunch supporter of SWRD Bandaranaiake from the birth of the party over 50 years ago. Wijedasa and his family like his father always voted SLFP -- and Wijedasa voted for Mahinda Rajapaksa. But, Wijedasa regrets, that the present government’s ‘lack of foreign policy’ has led to Sri Lanka’s
recent defeat at the Human Rights Council in Geneva.
What could have been solved diplomatically has turned gangrenous, Wijedasa said. The present attitude of government is crystal clear as seen daily on television, government ministers saying that government will not implement the LLRC recommendations fully. `When the next Human Rights Council sits in Geneva in March 2013, those nations that voted with Sri Lanka will find they have been fooled too.’ Wijedasa said.
Wijedasa explained that the government had told India and the Indian foreign minister that ‘more’ than the 13th amendment would be implemented. As nothing was done, Tamil Nadu’s stance towards the Indian central government was that the Sri Lankan government habitually lies. Tamil Nadu cautioned the Indian government against voting with Sri Lanka.
Mahinda Samarasinghe, the leader of the Sri Lanka delegation in Geneva said that government will implement the LLRC recommendations. Back home, minister Nimal Siripala de Silva is one minister who says, government won’t implement all the LLRC proposals. The diplomatic missions here monitor all that is said and should conclude that Sri Lanka’s foreign policy is one which always attempts ‘to fool the world.’ Wimal Weerewansa talks about banning Google and another powerful minister says, Sri Lanka in the near future will be able to give loans to some European Union member nations. All very stupid and reflected badly on Sri Lanka. It can be compared to what Idi Amin said, that Queen Elizabeth should come to Uganda and beg pardon from him.
Of the cost of living, and government’s call to Sri Lankan citizens to bear with them, while they wear out the affects of Geneva, Wijedasa said, ‘won’t mix anymore, as oil and water does not.’
He said a government servant’s salary lasts ten days and the poorest are not so hit, as the lower middle class. The lower middle class have to buy clothes to send their children to school and fees for school vans have gone up; so have tuition fees. The affluent, can always manage. The poor don’t send their children to school and have little social life. Full Story>>>
WK Wijedasa, a government clerk was sorry beyond words that Sri Lanka was out voted at the recent Human Rights Council sessions in Geneva. Wijedasa’s father Sumith was a staunch supporter of SWRD Bandaranaiake from the birth of the party over 50 years ago. Wijedasa and his family like his father always voted SLFP -- and Wijedasa voted for Mahinda Rajapaksa. But, Wijedasa regrets, that the present government’s ‘lack of foreign policy’ has led to Sri Lanka’s
recent defeat at the Human Rights Council in Geneva. What could have been solved diplomatically has turned gangrenous, Wijedasa said. The present attitude of government is crystal clear as seen daily on television, government ministers saying that government will not implement the LLRC recommendations fully. `When the next Human Rights Council sits in Geneva in March 2013, those nations that voted with Sri Lanka will find they have been fooled too.’ Wijedasa said.
Wijedasa explained that the government had told India and the Indian foreign minister that ‘more’ than the 13th amendment would be implemented. As nothing was done, Tamil Nadu’s stance towards the Indian central government was that the Sri Lankan government habitually lies. Tamil Nadu cautioned the Indian government against voting with Sri Lanka.
Mahinda Samarasinghe, the leader of the Sri Lanka delegation in Geneva said that government will implement the LLRC recommendations. Back home, minister Nimal Siripala de Silva is one minister who says, government won’t implement all the LLRC proposals. The diplomatic missions here monitor all that is said and should conclude that Sri Lanka’s foreign policy is one which always attempts ‘to fool the world.’ Wimal Weerewansa talks about banning Google and another powerful minister says, Sri Lanka in the near future will be able to give loans to some European Union member nations. All very stupid and reflected badly on Sri Lanka. It can be compared to what Idi Amin said, that Queen Elizabeth should come to Uganda and beg pardon from him.
Of the cost of living, and government’s call to Sri Lankan citizens to bear with them, while they wear out the affects of Geneva, Wijedasa said, ‘won’t mix anymore, as oil and water does not.’
He said a government servant’s salary lasts ten days and the poorest are not so hit, as the lower middle class. The lower middle class have to buy clothes to send their children to school and fees for school vans have gone up; so have tuition fees. The affluent, can always manage. The poor don’t send their children to school and have little social life. Full Story>>>
