International ties grow stronger

Year 2013 will be significant in the annals of Sri Lanka's history as it hosts the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM). As the Head of State of the host nation, President Mahinda Rajapaksa will take over the chairmanship of the Commonwealth Movement from Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard, who took the chair at the last CHOGM in Perth last year.

The 2013 CHOGM will enable leaders in the Commonwealth to gain first-hand experience on Sri Lanka's progress since terrorism was eradicated.

Some countries which are either unaware of the positive developments in Sri Lanka or those being misled by LTTE cohorts and a section of the Tamil Diaspora, will get a good opportunity to realise the true situation. It is far from what some Western politicians in those countries, who depend heavily on the Tamil Diaspora vote for their political survival, project to their respective governments.

Hence, Sri Lanka could showcase CHOGM to enlighten the international community on the true ground situation here.

Commonwealth leaders could themselves witness the unprecedented development in Sri Lanka since terrorism was defeated and the peaceful co-existence of Sinhalese, Tamils and Muslims in all parts of the country.

Moreover, Commonwealth States' heads could behold the new lease of life people in the North and the East enjoy after they were liberated from the clutches of LTTE terror. The successful completion of the resettlement programs which reached new world standards and the mega development projects launched in the North and the East would be food for thought for the Commonwealth leaders and they could take the message to the rest of the world.

It was only last month that President Rajapaksa and Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma declared that the next Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting will be held in Colombo from November 15 to 17 this year.

CHOGM is held biannually and is the Commonwealth's highest consultative and policy-making body. Commonwealth leaders agreed on Sri Lanka as the 2013 host for the meeting when they met in the Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, in 2009. This decision was reaffirmed at the 2011 CHOGM in Perth, Australia.

As a committed member of the Commonwealth family, Sri Lanka will spare no pains to host a successful CHOGM. The Commonwealth shares a strong commitment to the twin pillars of democracy and development. Sri Lanka eagerly looks forward to welcoming all Commonwealth leaders and delegates to this thrice-blessed isle.

There is no doubt that the 2013 CHOGM will be successful and a mutually beneficial summit in the true Commonwealth spirit. Sri Lanka, as the host country, will share its experiences in the areas of collective interest, including rural development, youth empowerment and people-centred socio-economic growth within the Commonwealth family, engaging with all members to achieve a significant outcome.

CHOGM brings together leaders representing around a quarter of the world's nations and one-third of the world's population. Hence, CHOGM should no longer act as a toothless tiger and must protect its identity while working for the betterment of those in the Commonwealth.

As the Commonwealth Secretary General had said, CHOGM provides an opportunity for Commonwealth leaders to work on a common approach to the national and global challenges of our times, to find paths to peace and prosperity for all, and deliberate on how this outstanding organisation can continue to serve the world better.

The Commonwealth will march towards greater horizons under the leadership of President Rajapaksa. It could also exploit Sri Lanka's expertise and first-hand experience in eliminating terrorism which has plagued many countries in the Commonwealth.

The Commonwealth unites governments and people on practical action on shared values and principles, mutually supporting one another in a spirit of goodwill and cooperation. The Commonwealth community would savour the warmth and hospitality of all Sri Lankans.

Australia, which now heads the Commonwealth, has played an exemplary role. The Australian Government has pledged that it would support Sri Lanka both politically and technically for the forthcoming CHOGM.

Australia's Foreign Minister Bob Carr's recent visit to Sri Lanka has strengthened bilateral relations further. It is evident that Australia has the best understanding on Sri Lanka's developments - much more than any other Western nation.

The Australian Foreign Minister has demonstrated implicit faith in Sri Lanka's own mechanism for reconciliation - the Report of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC). He referred to the LLRC report as the "best instrument" to resolve any issues.

Minister Carr's remarks on Canada's stance to skip the 2013 CHOGM is an eye-opener to one and all. When asked about Canada not attending the summit here, he said that Canada should engage with Sri Lanka on human rights' issues.

This is precisely what Sri Lanka has been telling the world all along. Those who level charges against Sri Lanka must first and foremost see for themselves, rather than swallow the concocted stories dished out by Tiger sympathisers lock, stock and barrel.

Australia has been working closely with Sri Lanka and is one of the few countries which has not been misled by the LTTE cohorts' propaganda. These asylum seekers have been categorised as economic migrants.

The timely action of the Australian government has put a spoke in the wheel of LTTE sympathisers to get more Tamils from Sri Lanka to Australia on the pretext of political asylum. Gone are the days when LTTE henchmen in the West got down their activists from Sri Lanka in the guise of political asylum. Other Western countries, including Canada, must emulate Australia's worthy example.

Australia has already committed millions of dollars in aid to enhance educational opportunities in Sri Lanka, in the hope that it would help stem the flow of illegal immigrants. US$36 million will be expended over four years to help around four million primary and secondary schoolchildren in Sri Lanka and contribute to a stable society. Australia has expressed its interest in a "stable Sri Lanka with rapid economic growth".

It is hoped that the Australian initiative would focus the attention of world leaders outside the Commonwealth and that all would support Sri Lanka in its sincere efforts in national reconciliation and development.

The Government has done everything to secure a better tomorrow for all those who have been rescued from the grip of LTTE terror. The Northern and the Eastern Provinces have recorded a rapid growth of over 20 percent and the people in those areas have begun to contribute to the national economy. Why is it that those who shed crocodile tears over the well-being of the Tamils in the North fail to see these positive developments?

The LTTE cohorts and a section of the Tamil Diaspora are still attempting to take Sri Lanka to task on their so-called war crimes allegations. Leaders of these Western countries should at least now not fall prey to this ploy.

Some countries which voted in support of the US-led Resolution against Sri Lanka early last year, have now adopted a new stance. Most of these countries today have a better understanding on the real situation prevailing in Sri Lanka. They could no longer be taken for a ride by those with vested interests who continue to pump dollars lavishly on some Western countries.

President Rajapaksa's strong foreign policy has also won him new friends the world over, apart from those friendly countries which steadfastly supported Sri Lanka over the years. In this backdrop, Sri Lanka could easily beat all overwhelming odds and face whatever challenges, both locally and internationally courageously.

Hence, those who have been day-dreaming of a regime change will have to wait till the cows come home. The masses have pledged their utmost support to the President and the UPFA Government and will never bow down to the pressure thrust by LTTE cohorts through their agents abroad.

Sri Lanka's international relations will be even stronger this year as the country embarks on an ambitious program to win the economic war as well.