'Seeing is believing'-buzzword for international media

by Uditha Kumarasinghe

Deputy Investment Promotion Minister Faiszer Musthapha said the Government decided to hold CHOGM in Sri Lanka because Sri Lanka had nothing to hide and everything was transparent. If President Mahinda Rajapaksa or Defence Secretary, Gotabaya Rajapaksa had something to hide, we would have never hosted an event of the stature of CHOGM in Sri Lanka.

This shows the world that every action of the Government was transparent. The Deputy Minister in an interview with the Sunday Observer said that we would never have had the opportunity of showcasing to the world what we have achieved in the recent past. The Leader of the host country of CHOGM is well aware that the country is being exposed to the international media. The Deputy Minister said that he believed that the President as the chairperson of CHOGM would make his contribution to achieve the goals set by CHOGM. Sri Lanka is privileged to hold CHOGM this year, as this is the first time an

Asian country was hosting this event after 24 years. President Rajapaksa is open minded and looks at the world with a different perspective. Earlier we only looked at the West and did not focus on the East. The President has changed Sri Lanka's foreign policy by having an inclusive approach. The Commonwealth will immensely benefit with the President's dynamic leadership.

Excerpts of the interview

Q: What kind of prestige will Sri Lanka enjoy when President Mahinda Rajapaksa becomes the new chairperson of CHOGM?

A: President Mahinda Rajapaksa has many milestones in his career compared to any former President. The President eradicated the LTTE which is considered the most ruthless terrorist outfit in the world. As for development, most of the former leaders only brought development to Colombo and the Gampaha district. Under President Mahinda Rajapaksa's leadership, infrastructure development has taken place in every village.

The road network has also rapidly developed. We were way behind for 30 years due to terrorism.

I believe that President Rajapaksa being the chairperson of CHOGM would make an effective contribution to achieve the goals set by CHOGM.

Sri Lanka is privileged to hold CHOGM this year, as this is the first time an Asian country is hosting this event after 24 years. Sri Lanka is diverse.

The President is open- minded and he looks at the world with a different perspective. Earlier we only looked at the West and did not focus on the East. President Rajapaksa has changed Sri Lanka's foreign policy by having an inclusive approach. I hope the Commonwealth will benefit from his dynamic leadership.

Q: It has been revealed that certain elements are planning to launch anti-government campaigns to discredit the Government during CHOGM. Would you like to comment on this?

A: CHOGM is not an event which is confined to the Government or Opposition. This is an opportunity for Sri Lanka to showcase its image to the world. Nobody should attempt to gain petty political mileage from this event. We are Sri Lankans. The world is coming to see Sri Lanka. They want to see where we have reached after the end of terrorism in 2009. Every Sri Lankan should contribute to give a positive image of Sri Lanka. A forum like CHOGM should not be used by certain quarters as a political platform to discredit the country.

If they attempt to do so, they are discrediting the country, not the Government. Over 30 World Leaders will attend CHOGM. World Leaders, investors and foreign journalists are coming to see what Sri Lanka is about. When certain sections are trying to gain petty political mileage, its like they are tarnishing the image of mother Lanka. So we all should be committed to safeguard mother Lanka. Unfortunately, if we take Sri Lankan politics, Opposition politics has been unsuccessful. Some quarters are attempting to instigate some sort of international conspiracy to discredit the Government internationally and get political mileage.

Q: How would you explain the spectre of LTTE terrorism haunting Tamil Nadu urging the Indian Government to boycott CHOGM?

A: We have to realise that India has domestic political issues. We have good relations with the centre. India has been a true friend and it will continue to be so. But South India is playing domestic politics. South Indian political parties are pressurising the Indian Government to boycott CHOGM which is unfair. Domestic politics in Tamil Nadu will not make an adverse impact on our lo ven at the UNHRC sessions, India voted against us. But India continued to be a friend. Sri Lanka's bond with India is not restricted to the Indian Prime Minister coming here or India's vote at the UNHRC.

Q: The importance of India's participation in CHOGM as the regional boss needs no exaggeration.Your views?

A: If India participates in CHOGM, Sri Lanka will obviously be happy. Unfortunately, if circumstances prevent them from participating, CHOGM will continue. However, if India participates at CHOGM, it will be good for Sri Lanka.

Q: Don't you think the British Premier's proposed visit to the North will certainly help him witness the ground situation?

A: Seeing is believing. I am pleased British Prime Minister David Cameron has decided to visit the North. Sometimes the development in the North is better than the development in other areas.

They will realise that the Government sacrificed development in others parts to develop the North and the East. No development had taken place here for the past 30 years due to terrorism. I am sure if the British Premier goes to the North, he will realise how fair and just this Government is. Because no area has been developed on political privilege. Although certain sections are trying to give a negative impression to David Cameron, I am sure he would get the true picture.

I am grateful for the decision taken by the British Premier to visit the North. Even Defence Secretary, Gotabaya Rajapaksa has welcomed this decision because we have nothing to hide and we are a transparent Government. ‘Seeing is believing’ so that this would be an ideal opportunity for us.

Q: The Commonwealth Election Observers in their report have endorsed the Northern Provincial Council elections were conducted in a free and fair manner. Don't you think this is a testimony given to the international community on the Government's sincere commitment to restore democracy in the North?

A: I have always said whatever the election results are in the North, democracy has been restored. Election observers saw that there was a free and fair election in the North. Holding a free and fair election in the North demonstrates the Government's sincere commitment towards restoring democracy in the North.

The people of the North should engage in the governing process in the North. The TNA was a party that just screamed while being outside. Now they will understand the ground reality of governing. I think this is a trial and error method and they will understand and be more realistic in their approach to some of the issues.

Q: Over 500 foreign journalists who come to Sri Lanka to cover CHOGM would see the prevailing situation in Sri Lanka and that it is completely different to the distorted picture projected by certain sections of the international media. Could you elaborate your views on this?

A: As the Head of State, the best decision taken by the President was to militarily defeat the LTTE. The second best decision taken by him was to host the CHOGM in Sri Lanka. Hosting the CHOGM in Sri Lanka will showcase to the world the significant development achieved by the country after defeating terrorism in 2009. It would also show how secular this Government is. I believe irrespective of being Sinhala, Tamil or Muslim, people have equal opportunities in this country. We are all equal citizens. Under the President, there is no minority or second class citizens in this country. I am sure, these journalists would witness this because seeing is believing. Conspiracies have been hatched to dent the secular approach adopted by this Government. I am sure this would change the mindset of these journalists. Because as we know bad news sells and good news doesn't.

Some foreign journalists have continuously gone to war-torn areas in the north for the past 30 years and they reported the killings and actions of LTTE suicide bombers. Now they should report the tangible development that has taken place within the country as well.

We could never have the opportunity of showcasing to the world what we have achieved in every part of the country.

Today the world is looking at Sri Lanka, and if the President had something to hide, he would have never have wanted CHOGM to be held here because the entire country is exposed to the international media. The transparency practised by the state has enabled such an international event to be hosted here. If President Mahinda Rajapaksa or Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa had something to hide, we would have never hosted CHOGM in Sri Lanka.

This clearly shows that the present Government is transparent. The decision taken by the TNA to boycott CHOGM is unfortunate. They may have political differences but I don't think there is any justifiable reason to boycott the CHOGM.

Q: As the host country for the CHOGM how do we make use of this opportunity to project the country's image globally and get long-term benefits?

A: We had negative publicity regarding Sri Lanka over the past 30 years. During the past four years, the country has witnessed mammoth development. If we are going to showcase Sri Lanka, we could have never done that without hosting an international event such as CHOGM. It takes a long time to transform 30 years of negative vibes in a positive direction. Hosting an event such as this, the tangible benefits gained will be quicker. There are 500 foreign journalists and over 30 global leaders and their delegations coming for this event. This will give us tangible benefits. Certain people are attempting to portray that the Government is spending lot for CHOGM.

In the case of a head of state, we only spend for him and one other. On the other hand, hotels will be filled to capacity and would earn a lot of money. This event would help generate a lot of income and employment opportunities. No right thinking person can condemn the hosting of CHOGM in Sri Lanka. We can see significant development taking place in Colombo and the suburbs. Thanks to Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa, today Colombo can be showcased as one of the cleanest and most beautiful cities. Earlier Colombo city was so politicised and no development could be made. Defence Secretary had the courage to transform Colombo city into a modern city and the slums into housing units where the people can live with self respect and dignity. The UNP which ruled the Colombo Municipal Council for 50 years tried to win on a vote base of poverty and misery. What have they marketed? Have they marketed happiness or well -being?

Q: In a situation where the Government could free the country from the clutches of terrorism and restore peace, how do you look at the demand made by some separatist elements to withdraw the Security Forces from the North?

A: If we look at the international dynamics, can a country like Sri Lanka which fought against the most ruthless terrorist outfit withdraw the Security Forces from the North.

Q: Has the fear of another uprising stopped?

A: I don't think so. We are a country which fought with the most powerful terrorist organisation which even had air power. I can quote from Parliamentary speeches of the TNA who asked us to withdraw the forces from the North, they said that they came from the home of Tamil Eelam.

Today we have not only given freedom to the people but also to the TNA to be free from the clutches of the LTTE. Earlier the TNA leadership was dictated to by the LTTE. Muslims were massacred by the LTTE at Kathankudi while Buddhists were brutally killed by LTTE at Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi. Until Prabhakaran was killed, did any Tamil leader of the TNA apologise for these atrocities committed by the LTTE? They didn't have the freedom to even do that. Even though their ideologies are dented by separatism, the TNA should thank us because now they can think independently. I believe they have to move away from the separatist ideology.

The Northern Province Chief Minister, C.V.Vigneswaran is willing to work with the Government. The Government is also willing to do so. Because the Provincial Council cannot work in isolation and its has to work with the centre.