Unite to beat Western conspiracies

A few Western countries and a section of the international media have gone to town to capitalise on the recent unfortunate incidents in Aluthgama and Beruwala to project a dismal picture on Sri Lanka.

This comes at a time the controversial UNHRC panel is trying to stage Navaneethan Pillay's pre-set drama. The UN investigation on allegations of war crimes in Sri Lanka is uncalled for and the nation is being punished ruthlessly for defeating the world's most ruthless terrorist group.

Three UN experts have already jumped the gun. At a time the Government is taking steps to check racial and religious hatred and bring the perpetrators of religious and communal violence to justice, they are pontificating to Sri Lanka on extraneous matters.

Do we need the services of UN experts to brief us on freedom of religion, minority issues and summary executions? Sri Lanka had been a shining example on peaceful coexistence of ethnic and religious groups until the LTTE ruined it. There is no truth whatsoever in Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief, Heiner Bielefeldt's statement that the recent violence had escalated due to impunity.

His sweeping statement that impunity, coupled with the inadequate response from the political and judicial authorities had helped further encourage attacks and the risk of spiralling violence, is a direct interference in the internal matters of a sovereign state. This is the responsibility of the country's leaders and Bielefeldt need not play the self-appointed role of a governor.

The Special Rapporteur on Minority Issues, Rita Izsák has gone one step further by emphasising that protective measures be implemented to guarantee the rights of people when the Government has already done so. Likewise, Christof Heyns - the Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions has called upon the Government to implement swift and effective measures to ensure the immediate adoption of robust protective measures when the President has already instructed the relevant officials in this regard.

Certain Western countries have already begun their lavish and expert funding for a regime change. Deeply cognizant that it would be an insurmountable task to challenge President Mahinda Rajapaksa's soaring popularity, unscrupulous elements in the West have resorted to various stratagems.

Many Western missions are acutely aware that President Rajapaksa would win the next Presidential election effortlessly. Perturbed by the turn of events, a few Western missions are now adopting various tactics to achieve their goals.

The manner in which Kalutara District UNP parliamentarian Palitha Thewarapperuma had been interrogated by US Ambassador in Sri Lanka Michele J. Sison shows in no uncertain terms the high-handed manner in which certain Colombo-based diplomats are meddling in the country's internal affairs.

Fortunately, MP Thewarapperuma was intelligent enough not to fall prey to Western conspiracies. Had he been an opportunist politician, the West would have capitalised on his statements. Following a telephone call by Ambassador Sison, the UNP MP had met the US envoy who had shown an extraordinary interest in the recent unfortunate incidents.

Thewarapperuma had made it explicitly clear that there is no communal problem whatsoever between the Sinhalese and Muslims and added that it was the work of extremist looters. When asked as to why the MP had intervened if it wasn't a political problem, Thevarapperuma had said that he intervened to protect the Sinhalese and Muslims in the area who had voted

for him.

Although the MP had dismissed any fresh threats to his life or from the Government, the US Ambassador had questioned him at length about such moves and had even volunteered to offer him political asylum in the event he faced death threats. This assurance had been given after Sison asked Thewarapperuma whether he had any intention of crossing over to the Government. The UNP parliamentarian had categorically said that he had established a name for himself as a politician through the UNP and would never betray his party.

Sison is no doubt is playing the role that she had been assigned to by the US Government as the Head of the Mission here as evidenced by her grilling Thewarapperuma even when there wasn't a complaint from him. Hence, it is crystal clear that she had overstepped her mandate as an Ambassador based in Colombo.

Concocted stories are now being spread to discredit the Government. Those with vested interests both here and abroad are going hammer and tongs to achieve their ends.

One such illusion is trying to link the Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) as an organisation with Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa. This is furthest from the truth and is aimed at denigrating the dynamic Defence Secretary, who had played a key role in Sri Lanka's success in eradicating LTTE terrorism.

While vehemently denying any involvement with the BBS or any fringe organisations as alleged, the Defence and Urban Development Ministry Secretary has asserted that he is ready to resign his post if any connection with these organisations is proved. It goes without saying that the Defence Secretary had worked tirelessly to usher in peace and stability in the country under the guidance of the President.

The Defence Secretary had played a pivotal role in defeating terrorism which plagued the nation for almost three decades. Thanks to the correct leadership, Sri Lanka eradicated the scourge of terrorism and ushered in peace and stability.

Following the massive development drive in the North and the East since May, 2009 the country attracted a large volume of investments. The dedication and commitment of the Defence Secretary and his ministry helped create a conducive environment for entrepreneurs and the private sector.

It is deplorable that the unfortunate incidents had given a negative picture after Sri Lanka made tremendous progress for five years as a peaceful country. The pro-Western international media exploited the situation to project a gloomy picture of the country. This was a blessing in disguise for Pillay and her cohorts who yearn to take Sri Lanka to task.

Hence, all citizens, irrespective of party politics, race and religion affiliations, must stand united. The UNP's hidden agenda to estrange the Muslims from the government is abundantly clear. Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesimghe lies through his teeth for his political survival. He even alleged that a student has to fork out Rs. 50,000 to join Mahindodaya laboratories.

The Opposition Leader has launched a massive media campaign alleging that the International Monetary Fund had advised the government to trim the education budget, when new laboratories are being built in schools and science and mathematics education at school level are receiving a government boost.

The President told a meeting in Beruwala last week that the UNP has grouped at village level to spread diabolical lies against the Government and was plotting to drive a wedge between the Muslim community and the Government. The UNP has set up a number of groups to create dissension and hostility towards the Government. It is deplorable that the Opposition Leader is trying to mislead the masses with fabricated facts and figures at a time the Government is engaged in road development.

The Opposition has even stooped to a low ebb with subtle manoeuvres to create rifts among ministers following the recent incidents. The Muslims in Aluthgama and Beruwala said that they were attacked by outsiders and not fellow villagers.

This is not the time to gain petty political mileage or settle personal disputes in their lust for power. International elements are all out to make use of power-hungry politicians and NGO goons who depend heavily on foreign funding. People should not fall prey to these wily schemes and unite to beat the conspiracies hatched in the West.