Sri Lankan diplomats should play vital role to resolve conflict

by Ananda Kannangara

If our Ambassadors and High Commissioners play a vital diplomatic role, not only Asian countries, but European countries too will undoubtedly support us in our endeavour to resolve the country's conflict situation and also to improve the economy.

Falcon International, President, Dr. M.G.M.S. Zurfick is not happy with the role, played by some of our diplomats in European countries to solve our national problem.

"It is a pity to say that many Sri Lankan diplomats, especially those who have been posted to major European countries, are not suitable to handle such responsible positions, since most of them do not have knowledge necessary for foreign service.

He said most of our officials have secured ambassador level high portfolios on personal grounds. "Actually, most of them are incapable to move on with foreign leaders and expose the real truth of our national crisis to seek their support".

An undergraduate of the Sabaragamuwa University, Dulanjala Fernando said "Our diplomats in European countries must take steps to discuss with political leaders in their respective countries on the Sri Lankan crisis, so that, they will definitely support us as many of the Asian neighbours do".

Therefore, he appealed to the Foreign Ministry and the President to appoint energetic, educated and also capable officials as Ambassadors and High Commissioners, so that they can play a major role to end our national conflict and also to improve our economy with the support of those countries."

A member of the Sri Lanka Cricket Umpires Association, Kolitha Kudahetty highly admired the service rendered by European countries to uplift the country's economy as well as the sports sector.

"No one can tell that the Europeans are not helping us; today our country has become very popular due to the cricketing links we have with countries such as England, Canada and Australia".

He said our cricketers, ruggerites and athletes are rendering an invaluable service to popularise the country's image both in the Asian and the European region and it is the sole duty of Sri Lankan politicians and diplomats to improve the economic and the security links with them.

Managing Director of a Gem Exporting Company in Colombo, Janaka Hewasinghe said, "Various countries send special envoys. UN send former US President Bill Clinton very often to our country to look into our matters."

Sri Lanka Tea Brokers' Association Manager, Waruna Lankathilaka said: "It was Norway, a European country which came to intervene in our national crisis; even at the present moment they extend a very good help to our country".

He said Asian countries help Sri Lanka only to improve our agricultural sector by introducing new agricultural methods and not for the national crisis directly.

"True that, Asian leaders visit our country very often as tourists, but never advise the Sri Lankan Army or the Air force the way to defeat the LTTE". A director of a mercantile establishment, Inoka Mallawaaratchchi said: "European countries and Asian countries do not help our country directly to solve the national crisis".

A Sri Lankan, residing in Australia, Kanaka Hewasinghe said that it is the duty of all Ambassadors and High Commissioners to urge their respective governments to help Sri Lanka to end the conflict.

"If Ambassadors or High Commissioners cannot do their job properly towards their mother country, then it is the duty of all expatriates to get together and make appeals from their respective countries to intervene in the matter".

An official of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Rukshan Manamperi of Rajagiriya said: "True that leaders in Asian countries visit Sri Lanka very often, but they do not give any concrete solution to our problem."

An executive of the Sri Lanka Gem and Jewellery Association, Ziqufi Ismail said not only Asian countries, but also European countries too pledge their support in a big way to end our national crisis as well as to improve our economy.

"Recently, I heard about a security pact signed between Sri Lanka and the USA. Accordingly, no one can tell that Western countries do not help us."

"On the other hand almost all European countries are always willing to help us, but our diplomats lack the capabilities to seek their support to end our longstanding conflict.

"However, almost all countries, especially in the European Union are of the view that the present conflict cannot be overcome militarily, but through a negotiated settlement."

Mr. Ismail also mentioned the European support towards the development of our garment sector and said that if not for the European market, it will be a heavy blow to our garment industry.

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