‘The Hindu’ sees exposing India’s involvement in terrorism in Sri Lanka as ‘India bashing’

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.