Govt. maintains focus on diplomatic battles against external forces
Sunday, July 15, 2012
= Minister Samarasinghe finalises report on Lanka's HR record but India's response still uncertain
= Victory likely for UPFA in two provinces, but EPC's fate in balance
Sunday, July 15, 2012
= Minister Samarasinghe finalises report on Lanka's HR record but India's response still uncertain
= Victory likely for UPFA in two provinces, but EPC's fate in balance
For a second week in succession, matters relating to the conduct of the country’s foreign policy preoccupied the Government.
Last Sunday, Sri Lanka’s envoys overseas wrapped up a two-day workshop that helped them learn the new thinking of the UPFA leaders with regard to a multitude of issues related to external relations. Most emphasis was on matters related to economic development. If there were critical issues, like for example, the upcoming sessions of the UN Human Rights Council where a report from Sri Lanka will be discussed under Universal Periodic Review, there was no detailed discussion on them. Yet, some envoys did raise political issues of lesser significance.
Last Sunday’s revelations in these columns about envoys being called upon to share rooms and pay a minimal Rs 3,000 for accommodation was to draw the attention of President Mahinda Rajapaksa. He had addressed them only a day earlier. Rajapaksa remained at the Air Force Commander’s bungalow at the Diyalatawa military cantonment where he had received a briefing of the day’s media coverage.
Unaware of what was to follow, External Affairs Ministry Secretary Karunatilleke Amunugama announced that envoys who had to share rooms would have to pay US$ 100 or around Rs. 13,376 and those wanting single rooms US$ 200 or around Rs. 26,752. He said his Ministry would make the payment and it would be individually recovered thereafter.
Last Sunday, Sri Lanka’s envoys overseas wrapped up a two-day workshop that helped them learn the new thinking of the UPFA leaders with regard to a multitude of issues related to external relations. Most emphasis was on matters related to economic development. If there were critical issues, like for example, the upcoming sessions of the UN Human Rights Council where a report from Sri Lanka will be discussed under Universal Periodic Review, there was no detailed discussion on them. Yet, some envoys did raise political issues of lesser significance.
Last Sunday’s revelations in these columns about envoys being called upon to share rooms and pay a minimal Rs 3,000 for accommodation was to draw the attention of President Mahinda Rajapaksa. He had addressed them only a day earlier. Rajapaksa remained at the Air Force Commander’s bungalow at the Diyalatawa military cantonment where he had received a briefing of the day’s media coverage.
Unaware of what was to follow, External Affairs Ministry Secretary Karunatilleke Amunugama announced that envoys who had to share rooms would have to pay US$ 100 or around Rs. 13,376 and those wanting single rooms US$ 200 or around Rs. 26,752. He said his Ministry would make the payment and it would be individually recovered thereafter.
.The extended tour took the weary diplomats to Katunayake and Gampaha. Pic by N. Kumarasinghe
Thereafter, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Secretary to the Ministry of Defence spoke on the theme “Project Sri Lanka – Essence of Reconciliation.”
Just then envoys were surprised to see President Rajapaksa turn up. He walked up to the podium and told envoys that before leaving for Colombo he wanted to thank them for honouring his invitation and coming over to Sri Lanka.
Thereafter, EAM Secretary Amunugama announced that President Rajapaksa had said that the government would meet the accommodation costs of the envoys. However, he said, it was mandatory for the participants to resume the cross country tour when the workshop ends.
Defence Secretary Rajapaksa noted, “It is important that the heads of mission and staff of Sri Lanka’s high commissions and embassies in other nations are fully aware of this, because of the challenges we face in the global arena today. Although the benefit of peace is evident to all Sri Lankans, we have seen that some sections of the international community have been largely critical on issues relating to Sri Lanka in the recent past. Countering this criticism is a key national priority.
“I believe there are several reasons for this criticism. These include the work of the LTTE’s international propaganda machine; the active Tamil vote base in certain countries; undue fear in some capitals about the influence of China in Sri Lanka; the actions of some international human rights organisations; and a certain degree of cynicism about the Government’s genuine efforts to address the issues of the Tamil community. Whilst appreciating the hard work of several ambassadors and high commissioners in countering this criticism, I wish to stress that more needs to be done. The heads of mission and staff of our embassies and high commissions around the world must counter this anti-Sri Lanka propaganda with facts. They must make sure that the true picture about what is happening here dominates the dialogue, instead of the propaganda of those who wish to harm our nation.”
Just then envoys were surprised to see President Rajapaksa turn up. He walked up to the podium and told envoys that before leaving for Colombo he wanted to thank them for honouring his invitation and coming over to Sri Lanka.
Thereafter, EAM Secretary Amunugama announced that President Rajapaksa had said that the government would meet the accommodation costs of the envoys. However, he said, it was mandatory for the participants to resume the cross country tour when the workshop ends.
Defence Secretary Rajapaksa noted, “It is important that the heads of mission and staff of Sri Lanka’s high commissions and embassies in other nations are fully aware of this, because of the challenges we face in the global arena today. Although the benefit of peace is evident to all Sri Lankans, we have seen that some sections of the international community have been largely critical on issues relating to Sri Lanka in the recent past. Countering this criticism is a key national priority.
“I believe there are several reasons for this criticism. These include the work of the LTTE’s international propaganda machine; the active Tamil vote base in certain countries; undue fear in some capitals about the influence of China in Sri Lanka; the actions of some international human rights organisations; and a certain degree of cynicism about the Government’s genuine efforts to address the issues of the Tamil community. Whilst appreciating the hard work of several ambassadors and high commissioners in countering this criticism, I wish to stress that more needs to be done. The heads of mission and staff of our embassies and high commissions around the world must counter this anti-Sri Lanka propaganda with facts. They must make sure that the true picture about what is happening here dominates the dialogue, instead of the propaganda of those who wish to harm our nation.”
