Sinister campaigns
Various sinister campaigns,
masterminded by local and international elements, are out to tarnish the
country's image, its democratically elected Government, the valiant
Security Forces and the people of Sri Lanka.
The controversial video telecast by the British Channel 4 with
fabricated allegations against our Security Forces could well be a part
of a well-knit international campaign to besmirch the reputation of Sri
Lanka. The mastermind, no doubt, behind it would have attempted to
underestimate the great achievements by the country to eradicate
terrorism.
Regrettably, some power-hungry opposition politicians and people who
were lavishly funded by certain INGOs, too are adding fuel to fire,
initiated by certain interested parties who still could not believe that
Sri Lanka was the only country to eradicate terrorism.
When the Security Forces were on the last leg of their humanitarian
battle, certain countries and organisations in the West made desperate
attempts to inject the last bit of oxygen to Velupillai Prabhakaran and
his terrorist organisation - under the cover of human rights and
innocent civilians.
None of them ever uttered a word when innocent civilians were
forcibly held as a human shield by Prabhakaran and his cadres. The
civilians in the North and the East had been subjected to untold
hardships due to the LTTE's terror that prevailed for nearly three
decades.
Not only people in the North and the East, but also those in South
too were brutally killed by LTTE terrorists. The value of lives taken
and the damage done by the LTTE are immeasurable. People from all walks
of life - social, political and religious leaders were brutally
assassinated by the LTTE terrorists in broad daylight. But none of the
so-called human rights organisations, free media personalities, INGOs or
international TV channels raised their voice on behalf of those
unfortunate victims.
When the terrorists were at the receiving end and were on the verge
of being eliminated, all of them teamed up in a sinister campaign to
discredit the Government. The safety of civilians, human rights and
media freedom was the common term used to discredit the Government and
the Security Forces.
Strangely, the same campaign we witnessed during the final stages of
the humanitarian operation has surfaced again in the international arena
in a different format. The controversial Channel 4 video and the
subsequent pressure exerted by certain quarters of the International
Community is the latest episode of the well-planned campaign to
discredit the Government and the fearless leadership of President
Mahinda Rajapaksa.
The Government led by President Rajapaksa, will by no means, succumb
to any outside pressure in executing the mandate given to him by the
people of this country. The President and his Government is only
answerable to the people of Sri Lanka who have democratically elected
them.
The illustrious leadership of President Rajapaksa and his fearless
decisions in the battle against terrorism may have perhaps hurt the
feelings of certain countries and INGOs who had been backing the LTTE
and its illegal battle for a separate state. But the President did his
utmost in safeguarding the sovereignty and territorial integrity of our
country, in keeping with his constitutional obligations as the First
Citizen.
As the Construction and Engineering Services Minister Dr. Rajitha
Senaratne pointed out at last week's press briefing at the Mahaweli
Centre, no international force can deter the President who has won the
hearts and minds of leaders of progressive countries.
Sri Lanka's friendly countries have been a tower of strength in its
valiant battle against terrorism. Though many countries have stressed
the need to eradicate terrorism globally, only a few countries expressed
a genuine desire to do so. Hence, Sri Lanka is ever grateful to those
friendly countries which relentlessly backed its battle against LTTE
terror.
Even some of the judgements passed by the judiciary here have been
challenged and criticised by a few countries and organisations in the
West.
Do they have an ethical right to raise their voices against cases
such as Thissanayagam who was convicted by the Judiciary of Sri Lanka
for aiding and abetting terrorism?
The Government has taken legal action against the journalist who was
accused of aiding and abetting the terrorists under the Prevention of
Terrorism Act and he was tried in the courts. Can we condone him for
such an offence in the guise of media freedom? No one is above the law.
Hence, no one can demand the release of a convict in an unlawful manner
and challenge the laws of the land. The Constitution is always supreme.
The GSP Plus concession granted by the European Union for Sri Lankan
garments has also been connected to human rights. Nevertheless, Sri
Lanka, with the help of its friendly nations, could stand strong,
without bowing down to international pressure. If the EU is sincerely
interested in lending a helping hand to developing nations, they should
do so without attaching strings to it.
Bankrupt politicians, rejected by the people in toto, are now
supporting sinister campaigns orchestrated by certain countries and
organisations. This is the modus operandi of some Opposition politicians
with a 'losing mentality'. Knowing only too well that they could not win
people's mandate, they are now resorting to regain power at any cost.
The era of decision-making to please the West is now history. We are
mature enough to make our own and rightful decisions as a sovereign
nation. President Rajapaksa and his Government are taking each and every
decision to suit the best interests of the country and its people.
The President has taken Sri Lanka to greater heights and all
countrymen are indeed proud of the great achievements accomplished to
protect the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity. |