Successful approach to MDG's - model to developing countries -Dr. Palitha Kohona

by Manjula Fernando

Sri Lanka's Permanent Representative to the UN in New York, Dr.Palitha Kohona said at times some domestic media reports contribute negatively to create international perceptions on Sri Lanka as a nation of religious intolerance and more.

Refuting allegations that Sri Lanka's foreign missions have failed to protect the country's image from persistent bad publicity, he said "At times, the domestic media contributes to this tendency by focusing excessively on the negatives which are then picked up by the international media." He added that the local media must compliment the image building of the country which should first begin at home .

The Sunday Observer exclusively interviewed Dr.Kohona on the up coming high level segment of the 69th session of the United Nations General Assembly, the President's visit to New York and current issues.

Excerpts of the interview,

Q: The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) is now in progress. President Rajapaka is to address world leaders on September 24. What will be Sri Lanka's focus at the General Debate this year?

A: The theme of the UN General Debate commencing on 24 September, as determined by the President of the General Assembly, Sam Kutesa, is 'Delivering on and Implementing a Transformative Post-2015 Development Agenda.' Naturally, Sri Lanka will also focus on this theme for good reasons.

Sri Lanka has done well with regard to the realisation of the Millennium Development Goals(MDG) and has performed much better than many of the developing countries despite the harsh constraints imposed by the terrorist driven conflict which lasted almost three decades.

Our successful approach to the MDGs could serve as a useful model for other developing countries. Having played a proactive role in the Open Working Group - Sustainable Development Goals(SDG), we will continue to be engaged in the development of the SDGs. Domestically, we will sustain our efforts to provide a better life to our people.

Q: Will Sri Lanka, including the work of the international panel appointed by former UNHRC Chief Navi Pillai, be featured prominently at the UNGA 69?

A: Sri Lanka is focused on development, reconciliation and prosperity, not on a long ended conflict. The vast majority of Sri Lankans want peace and prosperity. They do not wish to dwell in past wounds. The attempts of external elements to interfere in Sri Lanka's internal affairs do not sit comfortably with the wishes of the majority of our people. What they will succeed in doing, wittingly or unwittingly, would be to keep alive the feeling of grievance and bitterness in the minds of those who supported the now defeated terrorist LTTE. More importantly, such interventions will make our own reconciliation efforts more difficult.

Q: The two high profile visits by the Japanese and Chinese Leaders to Sri Lanka has drawn mixed reactions from world media as well as from domestic political circles. How would you assess the importance of these two visits to SL in terms of our domestic affairs and perhaps re-position itself in the world picture?

A: Both visits were important to Sri Lanka. Japan has had a very close relationship with us for a long time. Japan was our main development assistance partner over the years and the visit of the Japanese Prime Minister will further strengthen the existing close links. Similarly our relationship with China goes back a long way in history. Sri Lankan Bikkhus and Bikkhunis have been visiting China since early times. Chinese bhikkhus such as Fa Hsien and Hung Tsang, visited Sri Lanka to study Buddhism and to carry copies of our sacred texts back with them.

China is now our most significant development and investment partner. Our relations with these close friends will continue to be consolidated as we strengthen our domestic economy and our standing in the international arena.

Q: The West has been bashing Sri Lanka over its refusal to issue visas to the UNHR investigation team probing the final phase of the war. Do you think this was a bad move by Sri Lanka ?

A: I am not sure whether it is accurate to say that the entire West has ganged up to bash Sri Lanka. In fact to make such a statement would be a gross injustice to the many countries in the West which have not ganged up against us and are working with us on many issues of mutual interest.?

Q: Is there an opportunity for Sri Lanka to renew its relations with the UN rights body under the new Chief - Prince Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein of Jordan?

A: Of course. The new High Commissioner will assume his position with his own convictions. He is an eminent international lawyer and a diplomat with extensive experience. He understands the practical realities of our imperfect world as we all endeavour to make it a better place for humanity. There is no reason to believe that Sri Lanka's relationship with him will be a continuation of the status quo.

Q: Sri Lanka Air Force has been invited to deploy an aviation unit under the United Nations Multi-dimensional Stabilisation Mission in the Central African Republic.

Won't this contradict their own charges against SL military including the SLAF, over its conduct during the last phase of the war against LTTE and the humanitarian operation ?

(Sri Lanka Air Force was selected for the mission through a competitive evaluation process by the UN. The professionalism of its pilots, the technical expertise and know-how of its engineering elements along with the discipline of its entire Force was considered in selecting the SLAF.)

A: I cannot see the contradiction. Sri Lanka has provided troops, police officers, civilian administrators and equipment for UN peace keeping missions since 1961. Currently, we have a battalion serving in Haiti and other smaller elements elsewhere. Our performance as peace keepers, especially the professionalism, has been highly commended by Force commanders. Now, for the first time, we will have the Sri Lankan Air Force contributing to the UN Peacekeeping effort in South Sudan and the Central African Republic. We hope to increase our contribution in the future.

Q: Attacks against minorities are not widespread in Sri Lanka. Sri Lankans as a whole and Sinhala Buddhists in particular are a tolerant community. But the picture that has been portrayed elsewhere is not really accurate. Moreover, these charges continue to sustain the anti- Sri Lanka forces. Does this fact imply that our foreign missions including the Office of the Permanent Representative to the UN in New York have failed in their duty?

A: Undoubtedly what the international media has reported from Sri Lanka has impacted on public perceptions of Sri Lanka. At times, the domestic media contributes to this tendency by focusing excessively on the negatives which are then picked up by the international media. Unfortunately, the tendency to focus on negative elements persists. Image building must begin at home and our own media has an important role to play. The Government or its agencies have no control over the media, whether foreign or domestic.

Q: What sort of an impact, if at all, the referendum in Scotland - for its independence from the UK - will have on Sri Lanka? (Given that there is a sizeable and a highly organised group of LTTE remnants within the UK)

A:To draw a parallel between the Scottish referendum and the situation in Sri Lanka is simply not valid. In any event the Scots have said no to independence.