UK-Sri Lanka ties at peak

by Sarath Wijesinghe

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Sri Lanka has been a distinct sovereign State until British conquered us and ruled for over 150 years. It is an international crime to colonise another sovereign State. But it is the order of the era where the naval power at the time dominated the world with the law of the jungle.

We had problems with Portuguese, Dutch previously but for some unexplained reason we were never under mighty India though we are so close to each other. Our relations with India have been throughout excellent.

Our great religions, Languages, culture and breeding were mainly originated from India. Currently President Mahinda Rajapaksa maintains excellent political and personal relationships with the Indian Government and the leaders.

Had Great Britain not colonised us there would have been a strong possibility for us to be under some super power- may be Japanese, Muslim or French as a colony- but certainly Britain is the best out of the “then” international criminals. Indonesia Malaysia and Maldives Islands one time had been Buddhist Countries converted after conquering by Muslim Countries.

Excellent relations

British conquered us for a different purpose but left us with English language, Administrative machinery, Legal system, system of Governance and of course cricket among many other things.

Our relations with the United Kingdom since independence have been excellent.

The Sri Lankan High Commission in the UK was officially opened on October 2, 1948, and was the second overseas Mission to be opened by Sri Lanka and the first Embassy to start operating after she gained Independence from Britain which today is housed in a glamorous palace in Hyde Park in a leasehold premises.

Sri Lanka’s major exports to the UK have changed to industrial products and also include pearl, machinery, sea food, bicycles and so on, the UK is Sri Lanka’s second largest market and third largest Foreign Direct Investor.

There is a large number of companies operating in Sri Lanka with large investments. It is the largest tourism market for Sri Lanka accounting for 20% of the countries’ tourist arrivals and 30% of tourism related earnings. It is the single largest single source of tourists visiting Sri Lanka from EU.

Tolerant society

United Kingdom has limited resources, but continues to be a world power and economic giant. It facilitates trade and offers investors and industrialists the soil and resources for business and industries.

It maintains the internationalised political atmosphere to attract investors and rich nations- especially the Middle East. It is a haven and base for international organisations and political movements.

It generously gives shelter to any and many political leaders, thereby demanding confidence and goodwill to maintain the country as a fertile arena for investment and business. It is a tolerant society and a safe haven for many ethnic groups, especially from former colonies.

Extortion

Sri Lankans in the United Kingdom consist of approximately 600,000 according to guess work by some groups, the majority of which belongs to the Tamil community. Initially Sri Lankans migrated as professionals and subsequently as refugees after the North and East issue.

Tamil Diaspora too uses British tolerance and goodwill to propagate adverse propaganda against Sri Lanka in order to tarnish the image of the country mainly in order to help the asylum seekers who require spicy propaganda in order to justify their refugee claims.

Refugee claim is based on the “Convention of refugees” in which the signatory nations are bound to respect the optional protocol and give protection to those who are persecuted by respective governments on the grounds of politics, race, religion or ethnicity.

British relations with Sri Lanka and leaders have always been excellent. British “iron lady “Margaret Thatcher the former Prime Minister blasted Kittu - a senior member of the LTTE when he requested Mrs Thatcher to help the LTTE in their battle for a separate State.

The banner headline article and main front page lead in the Sunday Observer of October 7, 1990, was written by the Lake House Correspondent/ veteran and senior Journalist Reggie Fernando from London which stated: The British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher has flatly rejected an appeal for help by the Tamil Tigers.

Instead she slammed them. This shows how close and friendly the UK leaders are with our country and the leadership.

British Shadow Defence Secretary Liam Fox has called upon the international community to contribute to Sri Lankan development especially as the government has been able to liberate the East from the clutches of terrorism at the dinner hosted by the Carlton Club - an affiliate of the Conservative Party of the UK when Foreign Minister delivered a lectures on “ a people’s mandate for democracy over terrorism in the East of Sri Lanka” It was packed to capacity mainly by future Ministers and members of British Parliament. I had the opportunity to witness the brilliant speech by the Foreign Minister with pin drop silence by the audience.

The meeting of ‘David Cameron with our President has been very warm and cordial. The Leader of the Opposition embraced our President and pledged unreserved support in the war on terror. Our President’s proposals at the commonwealth leaders meeting were accepted and steps are being taken to implement.

President Rajapaksa’s speeches are natural, clear, and convincing. I have been following the speeches of many world leaders as a student of politics/international law and relations- especially of Margaret Thatcher, John Major, Smith, Tony Blair and Prime Minister Brown.

Against terror

But President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s speeches are as good as or better than any other world leaders. Unlike Tony Blair he speaks without a script on the chosen and given subject.

The Meeting of President Mahinda Rajapaksa and his delegation with the British Prime Minister has been very successful. Mr Brown is always against terror and ever ready to suppress terror. He successfully brought legislation to detain terror suspects over 42 days without a charge.

Guardian (UK) states under the headline - “Sweeping new powers in the UK on terror” - Secretary of State for the Home Department David Blunkett is expected to publish his proposals on a new system for trying terrorist suspects when he responds formally to the Newton Committee set up to review his powers under the Anti Terrorism Crime Security act 2001.

In the speech by the Sri Lanka Foreign Minister he summed up and summarised the history, current situation historical cultural and all other bonds and connections between both nations.

May I quote a part of the speech which speaks thousand words on the subject as follows: “I know the LTTE has been proscribed here and also in the EU but they mushroom through fronts even religious and charitable organisations, and you need to help us deal with this challenge.

Sometimes your country is preoccupied with the challenge from Al Queda terrorism but as my President stated in his address to the UN General Assembly last year “Terrorism any where is terrorism. There is nothing good in terrorism “I am sure you will agree with me in that.”