Tarnishing Lanka's image under guise of human rights

Human rights, Media freedom, Democratic rights these are some of the most popular and productive topics which have been successfully tried and tested by most of the local and international Non-Governmental Organisations in Sri Lanka.

Capitalising on weak links and lack of awareness by some local trade unions and rights groups, those NGOs and INGOs have really made their mark over the past few years. More than ever before in local history, these people now cry for human rights, media freedom and democracy.

Some media organisations too have joined hands with these NGOs and INGOs to tarnish Sri Lanka's image. They care less about the country and are only interested in achieving their personal goals. All of them work according to a hidden agenda. This is evident when one carefully analyses recent developments.

Even murders and abductions which had taken place due to personal disputes have been conveniently credited to the Government's account. In some instances, the names of people who have gone to LTTE held areas too have been counted as those missing.

Some individuals have made use of the opportunity to achieve their personal goals. There have been numerous instances where people, especially the Tamils who have relatives and friends in Europe, making false complaints on death threats and intimidations so that they could conveniently secure a Schengen visa.

Elsewhere, we have experienced many cases where people have disappeared on their own with various personal intentions - to mislead the police, evade court cases, claim insurance and gratuity, to overcome their liabilities and debts. There are also criminals who kidnap people for various other reasons.

What is most disheartening is crediting the entire weight of these cases to the Government's account.

What these NGOs, INGOs and the so-called human rights organisations should understand is that those incidents are not taking place under State patronage. Unlike during the 1987-1989 regime of the UNP Government, today there are no abductions or killings under State patronage. When it comes to the protection of human rights, President Mahinda Rajapaksa has always been in the forefront. He would never condone incidents of this nature.

At the same time, the people who make a hue and cry for human rights should also take note of the circumstances which have led to the recent crime wave, which have been now effectively tackled by the police under strict instructions from the President.

Despite being engaged in one of the deadliest battles against the most ruthless guerrilla organisations in the world, our brave security forces have always made a valiant effort to protect human rights.

What action have these INGOs, NGOs and international HR organisations, which shed crocodile tears, taken when the blood-thirsty Tiger terrorists massacred innocent civilians, and even unborn children and infants? The LTTE has a track record in killing civilians, infants, school children, clergy and even their own people. Do they protect human rights? Have those NGOs and INGOs granted a licence to the LTTE terrorists to ignore human rights of anyone who speaks against terrorist leader Prabhakaran?

Are there two categories of human rights? We cannot understand the logic of some people who claim to be HR watchdogs. The simple fact is that most of those organisations have either become dumb due to the dollars and euros that are being regularly credited to their accounts or they work for a hidden agenda - either to satisfy the LTTE or on a mission to separate our motherland.

No legitimate Government would tolerate this. The sovereignty and territorial integrity of any country could not be compromised. The national security of any country takes pride of place and should remain top priority at all times. The best example is our neighbour, India. The Indian line of thinking on matters relating to national security and sovereignty is a classic example for any country. Despite many problems faced by separatist terrorists over the years and Governments of different political hues, India has always maintained its stand.

India, as the elder brother of the South Asian region, is helping Sri Lanka. Along with continuous support from Pakistan, the two regional giants are joining hands with Sri Lanka to tame the Tigers. Internationally, the United States is engaged in a worldwide battle to combat terrorism. The active support given by the US towards Sri Lanka's efforts to eliminate LTTE terrorism is commendable.

The Government, led by President Rajapaksa, has been acting in a transparent manner. It has nothing to hide. President Rajapaksa has even joined hands with his political opponents who voiced ferociously against him at the last President Election campaign.

But in matters relating to our country's sovereignty and national security, he will certainly not compromise. President Rajapaksa is a true leader who has always put the country before self. He loves his country and its people, irrespective of caste, creed or race. His honest and patriotic feelings will definitely thwart the hidden agendas of some NGOs, INGOs and individuals. They cannot bear the present successful campaign against terrorism.

This is exactly where the malicious campaign to ruin the good name of the Government began. We hope the international community, who is genuinely interested in the well-being of all citizens of this country and the sovereignty of Sri Lanka, would not get carried away by such malicious and mud-slinging campaigns.