In a typical display of India's big brotherly attitude 'The Hindu', a prominent Newspaper in India described exposing of India's involvement in terrorism in Sri Lanka as 'India bashing'.
An interesting book was launched on 15th May at the Water's Edge with President and the Defense Secretary as special invitees. The book named 'Gota's War' written by C. A. Chandraprema, an eminent journalist of The Island Newspaper was about the role played by the Defense Secretary in the successful war against terrorism. Mr. Lalith Weerathunge, the president's Secretary, the guest speaker of the event, in his speech quoted some extracts from the book which has apparently irked 'The Hindu'. 'The Hindu' reported it as follows
'Violated sovereignty'
The book launch function, meant to celebrate Defence Secretary and President's brother Gotabaya Rajapaksa's contribution to the war, turned out to be an India-bashing session: India aided and abetted terrorism, and repeatedly violated Sri Lanka's sovereignty. Its High Commissioner during the period dictated terms to Sri Lanka.
The Hindu's article had quoted what Mr. Lalith Weerathunga read from the book in his speech as follows
"…When the Vadamarachchi operation commenced, the Prime Minister of India at that time, Rajiv Gandhi, issued a strong statement against the operation…Sri Lanka could have been rid of terrorism [at that time, but for the] high-handed interference of the then Indian envoy, Mr. J.N. Dixit," said Mr. Weeratunga, to an audience that comprised all top elected leaders and officials and diplomats in Sri Lanka, including President Rajapaksa and the Indian High Commissioner Ashok K. Kantha.
Sri Lanka firmly believed that if this operation had gone on, the country could have been rid of terrorism more than two decades ago. Reading from the book, Mr. Weeratunga said: "While the Vadamarachchi operation was on, the Indian Envoy Mr. J.N. Dixit had met President Jayawardene and bluntly told him that India will not stand by idly and allow Jaffna to fall into the hands of the Army, and if the military operation continued, there could be unforeseen consequences. Asked to explain what these 'unforeseen consequences' could be, Dixit had told Jayawardene that military aid may be given by India to the LTTE leading to the possible dismemberment of Sri Lanka."
When Indian hegemonism is exposed by the victimized smaller nations, they are intimidated to be submissive. How the media reflects India's hegemonistc attitudes over the smaller nation are very much evident in this example. The very mindset and the actions of the most of the Indians are reflective of this attitude. The dear departed J.N. Dixit, Rajiv Gandhi, Indira Gandhi and Nehru are only prominent examples of the vast number of Indians who hold this view. As I highlighted in my previous posts the present day politicians like Rajiv Gandhi's son Rahul Gandhi and the journalists like Kudlip Nayar have time to time proved this with some hegemonistc views expressed against Sri Lanka. By the way it's because of India the two out of three armed conflicts happened in the North and South of Sri Lanka after the independence.
Mr. Laith Weerathunga's hard hitting speech which have unruffled many a feathers is a must watch video clip uploaded on Sri Lanka's defense web site. The book 'Gota's War' is indeed a must read for anyone who is interested in knowing what exactly happened in the 30 years' of Tamil terrorism and how the steely determination, the unbowed resolve and the courage by some people who mattered the most decided the destiny of our country.
Thursday, May 17, 2012
Monday, May 14, 2012
In defense of setting up of an Israeli embassy in Sri Lanka…………!
Earlier attempts
Setting up of a permanent Israeli diplomatic mission in Sri Lanka has never materialized though several attempts were made by both UNP and SLFP led governments in the past. The subject has come to the public limelight again with the present government is trying to set up a permanent Israeli embassy in Sri Lanka. During President J.R. Jayawardna's period an Israeli diplomatic mission was started attached the US embassy which was known as Israeli Interests Section. But it was closed down with the president Premadasa coming into power. President Prmadasa resorted to close down the Israeli Interests Section as he succumbed to the pressure by the local Muslims. Then again President Chandrika Kumarathunga took initiative to re-start an Israeli diplomatic mission but it never materialized again due to the pressure by the local Muslims. Both President Jayawardana and Kumarathunaga were compelled to take initiative to set up Israeli diplomatic mission as they strongly felt that the Israel's expertise in counter-terrorism and espionage would have been a great boost to Sri Lanka armed forces to check the LTTE terrorism which was raging during both the presidents' tenures.
Contribution to Sri Lanka in its war against terrorism
Though Israel's' physical presence was not in Sri Lanka as forms of diplomatic mission, the contribution made by the Israelites as forms of armaments and training given to members of the Sri Lankan armed forces can never be overlooked. Sri Lanka's successful military campaign against terrorism can hardly be described without mentioning of Kfir fighter jets and Dvora Fast Attack crafts. So are the trainings received by the members of the security forces.
Why do we need Israelites?
Experts in countering diplomatic offensives
It is a reality now that though LTTE was military defeated in Sri Lankan soil its presence outside Sri Lanka is an all-time high as has never been before. The anti-Sri Lankan campaign that it is vigorously perusing is such strong that it has succeeded in persuading most powerful countries in the West and some powerful world bodies throwing their weight behind them. Therefore, the need of the hour as far as Sri Lanka is concerned to make an all- out diplomatic war against this anti-Sri Lanka campaign. Having faced similar situations internationally more than half century Israelites have become experts in that department too. So the Israel experience and expertise in this sector would indeed be invaluable given the present juncture that Sri Lanka is in.
Science and Technology
Though the Israelites' expertise is legendry in the spheres of military and espionage, they are one of the most advanced nations in Science and Technology at present. The inventions made by the Israeli scientists to the advancement of the human kind are invaluable. So Sri Lanka should not stand to lose the chance of acquiring the technological know-how from one of the most advanced nations in Science and Technology and research and as the former is making its every effort to transform the peace dividend to the betterment of the people.
Agriculture and water conservation
Two of the major challenges that Sri Lanka would face in the coming few years would be the acute depletion of water resources and the lack of power generation opportunities. Acute water scarcity felt by the several parts of the country in the past decades has led to the farming communities abandoning agriculture which they had been engaged in for generations. Israelites' agricultural science research has been revolutionary to such extent that they have been able to turn the Israel, a patch of desert, the greenest country in the Arab world and to be self-sufficient in agriculture. Water conserving technology, agricultural methods that use a least amount of water and developing the plants that consume a least amount of water include some of the innovations made by Israelites to be self-sufficient in agriculture, living in a desert. Some of the Israeli agriculture technological methods have successfully been applied in the Trincomalee district, one of the driest districts in the country. So Sri Lanka is to gain a lot from Israelites in this sphere too.
Lessons to learn from our big brother
India is home to the second largest Muslim population in the world. Unlike Sri Lanka India is also home to a population of Jews too. Any move that might cause slightest damage to the India's integration and the national security would be the last option that it would dare to take. India started full diplomatic relation with Israel a few decades ago. (India did not have full diplomatic relations with Israel during the Cold War time). India has realized the immense benefits that it can get from Israelites in terms of Miltray Technology, Scientific Research, Power Generation and Agriculture Science etc.
Are we to lose the golden opportunities?
So Sri Lanka can no longer stand to lose the immense opportunities that It would get by setting up full Israel diplomatic mission here. The longer we take to establish the full diplomatic relations with Israel the greater the number of opportunities that we will have to lose. If we are going to lose these opportunities merely due to some perceived fears by some, we as a nation are the biggest losers. The benefits that we are to gain are for all the communities in the country.
Setting up of a permanent Israeli diplomatic mission in Sri Lanka has never materialized though several attempts were made by both UNP and SLFP led governments in the past. The subject has come to the public limelight again with the present government is trying to set up a permanent Israeli embassy in Sri Lanka. During President J.R. Jayawardna's period an Israeli diplomatic mission was started attached the US embassy which was known as Israeli Interests Section. But it was closed down with the president Premadasa coming into power. President Prmadasa resorted to close down the Israeli Interests Section as he succumbed to the pressure by the local Muslims. Then again President Chandrika Kumarathunga took initiative to re-start an Israeli diplomatic mission but it never materialized again due to the pressure by the local Muslims. Both President Jayawardana and Kumarathunaga were compelled to take initiative to set up Israeli diplomatic mission as they strongly felt that the Israel's expertise in counter-terrorism and espionage would have been a great boost to Sri Lanka armed forces to check the LTTE terrorism which was raging during both the presidents' tenures.
Contribution to Sri Lanka in its war against terrorism
Though Israel's' physical presence was not in Sri Lanka as forms of diplomatic mission, the contribution made by the Israelites as forms of armaments and training given to members of the Sri Lankan armed forces can never be overlooked. Sri Lanka's successful military campaign against terrorism can hardly be described without mentioning of Kfir fighter jets and Dvora Fast Attack crafts. So are the trainings received by the members of the security forces.
Why do we need Israelites?
Experts in countering diplomatic offensives
It is a reality now that though LTTE was military defeated in Sri Lankan soil its presence outside Sri Lanka is an all-time high as has never been before. The anti-Sri Lankan campaign that it is vigorously perusing is such strong that it has succeeded in persuading most powerful countries in the West and some powerful world bodies throwing their weight behind them. Therefore, the need of the hour as far as Sri Lanka is concerned to make an all- out diplomatic war against this anti-Sri Lanka campaign. Having faced similar situations internationally more than half century Israelites have become experts in that department too. So the Israel experience and expertise in this sector would indeed be invaluable given the present juncture that Sri Lanka is in.
Science and Technology
Though the Israelites' expertise is legendry in the spheres of military and espionage, they are one of the most advanced nations in Science and Technology at present. The inventions made by the Israeli scientists to the advancement of the human kind are invaluable. So Sri Lanka should not stand to lose the chance of acquiring the technological know-how from one of the most advanced nations in Science and Technology and research and as the former is making its every effort to transform the peace dividend to the betterment of the people.
Agriculture and water conservation
Two of the major challenges that Sri Lanka would face in the coming few years would be the acute depletion of water resources and the lack of power generation opportunities. Acute water scarcity felt by the several parts of the country in the past decades has led to the farming communities abandoning agriculture which they had been engaged in for generations. Israelites' agricultural science research has been revolutionary to such extent that they have been able to turn the Israel, a patch of desert, the greenest country in the Arab world and to be self-sufficient in agriculture. Water conserving technology, agricultural methods that use a least amount of water and developing the plants that consume a least amount of water include some of the innovations made by Israelites to be self-sufficient in agriculture, living in a desert. Some of the Israeli agriculture technological methods have successfully been applied in the Trincomalee district, one of the driest districts in the country. So Sri Lanka is to gain a lot from Israelites in this sphere too.
Lessons to learn from our big brother
India is home to the second largest Muslim population in the world. Unlike Sri Lanka India is also home to a population of Jews too. Any move that might cause slightest damage to the India's integration and the national security would be the last option that it would dare to take. India started full diplomatic relation with Israel a few decades ago. (India did not have full diplomatic relations with Israel during the Cold War time). India has realized the immense benefits that it can get from Israelites in terms of Miltray Technology, Scientific Research, Power Generation and Agriculture Science etc.
Are we to lose the golden opportunities?
So Sri Lanka can no longer stand to lose the immense opportunities that It would get by setting up full Israel diplomatic mission here. The longer we take to establish the full diplomatic relations with Israel the greater the number of opportunities that we will have to lose. If we are going to lose these opportunities merely due to some perceived fears by some, we as a nation are the biggest losers. The benefits that we are to gain are for all the communities in the country.
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Why is Europe, believed to be consisting of the most tolerant societies in our contemporary times finally compelled to be intolerant towards Muslims?
Food for thought isn't it? Have the Western societies, believed to be most tolerant in our contemporary times finally lost its patient due to being pushed to the wall? Have they finally felt the sheer folly on the part of them by allowing thousands of Muslim immigrants from Africa, Middle East and Asia to live in their soils at the expense of their own citizens' freedom and liberty?
The sheer helplessness felt by the Western societies can well be seen by a citizen of Norway, a country considered to be consisting of one of the most tolerant societies in Europe went onto a killing spree recently claiming that he wanted to rid Muslims off from Europe. It seems that magnanimousness, good –heartiness and accommodativeness of the West has finally boomeranged to them with devastating consequences. This subject can be discussed in thousands of pages. But I thought of pointing out some salient reasons on why the Western societies are increasingly feeling that they have been taken for a bloody good ride.
The sheer helplessness felt by the Western societies can well be seen by a citizen of Norway, a country considered to be consisting of one of the most tolerant societies in Europe went onto a killing spree recently claiming that he wanted to rid Muslims off from Europe. It seems that magnanimousness, good –heartiness and accommodativeness of the West has finally boomeranged to them with devastating consequences. This subject can be discussed in thousands of pages. But I thought of pointing out some salient reasons on why the Western societies are increasingly feeling that they have been taken for a bloody good ride.
- Staggering number of mosques being built in the areas formerly occupied by the predominantly Christians. (Some instances mosques are built in the very paces that the Churches used to be). This has created a great feeling of insecurity among the communities. This was first highlighted to the world in 1980s by the Brigitte Bardot, a former French fashion model, actress, singer and animal rights activist. She was devastated to see the sea of changes happening in the main cities of France and went on to declare that France would soon become a Muslim country.
- The shocking rate of child births among the Muslims triggering a population explosion. This has resulted in creating an unprecedented ethnic imbalance in those societies which maintains modest population growth, a key factor for development. It is needless to say that this population explosion is finally aimed at turning the non-Muslim societies into Muslim societies by the sheer numbers.
- Increasing intolerance shown towards other ethnicities with violence unleashed to intimidate them which is actually aimed at chasing away the original occupants from their places of living for centuries. Land grabs aimed at ethnic cleansing by Muslims is not confined only to countries like India and Sri Lanka. It is a phenomenon widely seen in Europe as well.
- Inhuman and repressive laws specially imposed against women, violating their basic rights in societies where the rights of people are perceived to reign supreme.
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