Extraneous forces at work

A sovereign state, commonly and simply referred to as a state, is a political association with effective internal and external sovereignty over a geographic area and population which is not dependent on, or subject to any other power or state.

Wikipedia, the popular online encyclopaedia states, while in abstract terms a sovereign state can exist without being recognised by other sovereign states, unrecognised states will often find it hard to exercise full treaty-making powers and engage in diplomatic relations with other sovereign states.

It is the supreme, absolute, and uncontrollable power by which an independent state is governed and from which all specific political powers are derived; the intentional independence of a state, combined with the right and power of regulating its internal affairs without foreign interference.

The Farlex dictionary defines sovereignty as the power of a state to do everything necessary to govern itself, such as making, executing, and applying laws; imposing and collecting taxes; making war and peace; and forming treaties or engaging in commerce with foreign nations. The sovereignty of a state is determined by the supreme law of the land.

Do these definitions of a sovereign state hold water in the context of the volume of interferences and meddling with the internal affairs of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Sri Lanka by certain countries in the West and a few International Non-Governmental Organisations (INGOs)?

There were many instances during the recent humanitarian operations where certain countries and INGOs attempted to compel the Government to halt the military operations. They made such requests using human rights as an effective tool. But the bitter truth was that those countries and INGOs were keen to rescue the LTTE.

In other words, certain countries in the West lobbied to win the demands of the LTTE and thus supported the most ruthless terror outfit in the world. The godfathers of anti-terrorism and human rights were the very same souls who nurtured terrorism in this part of the world.

As President Mahinda Rajapaksa has quite rightly pointed out at several international fora, there can't be two types of terrorism - one for the West and the other in this part of the globe. There are no good terrorists and bad terrorists.

The controversial statements of US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Robert Blake and British Foreign Secretary David Miliband at the Global Tamil Forum Conference in London were two notable events that developed last week.

Blake, who had served as the US Ambassador to Sri Lanka before, said that the US was not satisfied with the manner in which the Sri Lanka Government handled the issue of Sarath Fonseka's arrest.

However, the Government claimed that Blake has no right whatsoever to dictate terms to Sri Lanka on the judicial process over the allegations against Fonseka adding that the country is capable of handling the issue in keeping with the law of the land.

Media Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardana told the weekly news conference in Colombo, that it is up to the Sri Lankan authorities to decide on the legal action to be taken against Fonseka. Minister of Foreign Affairs Rohitha Bogollagama last week summoned the acting British High Commissioner in Colombo to express the Government's strong opposition to British Foreign Secretary Miliband attending the Global Tamil Forum Conference (GTFC) in London.

The GTFC is identified as an event held in support of a separate state in Sri Lanka and Minister Bogollagama said that by attending such a conference, Miliband had violated Britain's policies on separatism.

The Minister quoting from the statement of Secretary Miliband said that whatever his intentions, the presence of such a high level UK official at a conference of this nature would send wrong signals to the International Community. "Whatever his intentions may be, his physical presence there will give manifestations to the support of a separatist organisation," Bogollagama was quoted as saying.

Miliband told the British House of Commons earlier that he would be addressing the GTFC "to encourage a forward looking and constructive approach".

Minister Bogollagama has told the acting head of the local British mission here that the Provisional Transnational Government of Tamil Eelam, which is attached to the GTFC, is a "direct threat to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Sri Lanka".

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown added to the controversy by meeting the participants of the event in London. Reports said that Brown had met delegates of the GTFC in London where Miliband addressed the gathering. Government Defence spokesman, Minister Keheliya Rambukwella described Brown's presence at the controversial meeting as 'unethical' and questioned whether he would address a similar forum that supports Al Qaeda.

While criticising the LTTE for the violence it unleashed and for its use of child soldiers, Miliband also called for an investigation on war crimes committed by the LTTE and the Government. He also called for constitutional changes and power sharing in Sri Lanka.

Everybody is acutely aware of the painstaking efforts of President Rajapaksa to find a negotiated settlement for the national issue. Inviting all parties represented in Parliament and outside, the President set up an All-Party Representative Committee (APRC) to draft proposals as a solution for the national issue.

Sri Lanka is a democratic country and the Government cannot introduce legislation for makeshift solutions to appease other nations.

Such actions in history had proved futile. Hence, the Government is determined to implement an honourable solution acceptable to all ethnic groups in the country.

President Rajapaksa has a crystal clear foreign policy, which always upholds Sri Lanka's sovereignty and territorial integrity. He will never betray the nation for a few million dollars.

When the issue of the withdrawal of the GSP Plus concession by the European Union came up, President Rajapaksa stood firm and said that Sri Lanka's sovereignty and territorial integrity should take top priority. The country is proud to have such a fearless leader who puts the country before self. No nation could be allowed to meddle with the internal affairs of Sri Lanka.

The democratically elected President and the Government are quite capable of handling the affairs of the state in an exemplary manner.