Preserving and boosting the image of a nation

by Sarath [email protected]

The image building of nationhood is paramount to a nation in the world family which needs respect and recognition of the colleges of the group of a nations. A nation is a territory or country as a political entity or a grouping of people who share a real or imaginary common history, culture, language or ethnic origin often seeking or possessing its own government.

There is no dispute that we are rich in culture, values, warmth with full of smiles, peaceful, peace loving, believing in and practising individual and collective human rights - democracy, rule of Law and due process. Nations are led by human beings and it is natural for them to act with different agendas in their own interest.

Humans are basically selfish. It is our obligation to sell our vision on foreign policy and relations and agenda to serve our people to the greatest possible extent enhancing our image and goodwill with other members of the world family.

International relations

Image and international relations are interconnected as much as these concepts have direct bearing on the economy, development, and governance which governs the day-to-day existence, the future of the nation and the people's living within the territory.

A golden era of diplomacy with an excellent image of the Sri Lankan nation has been the time this "Pearl of the Indian Ocean" has had close relations with India and King Asoka who once conquered the entire Indian subcontinent - yet Sri Lanka was left alone due to the close personal friendship and diplomatic and international relations with the leaders and the nations.

We had diplomatic relations with the Middle East and the Far East through traders so that diplomacy was not alien to us. Our international image was of such high esteem for over thousands of years that we existed all throughout as an independent entity and a small giant until the British Empire cheated Chieftains in the Hill and conquered our great nation thus ending our independence.

King Asoka sent his most precious son and daughter as emissaries to his unseen but close friend King Devanampiyatissa to propagate Buddhism he embraced having gone through a victorious battle to conquer the whole of India killing millions. The next golden era of successful foreign policy was during the time of Madam Bandaranaike who with the best of foreign and civil servants successfully headed the powerful Non - Alignment Movement representing a major part of the globe, boosting the image of Sri Lanka to the peak.

Today President Mahinda Rajapaksa is introducing a unique foreign Policy, unique to himself to Sri Lanka with his international personality and a vision to lift Sri Lanka to be the best in Asia politically, economically and make Sri Lanka a leader in the world family.

Currently the n President as the emerging world leader of Asia is heading SAARC and many more international organisations representing a major part of the globe and heading for the next golden era in diplomacy and international relations.

Global issues

International relations or international studies represents the study of foreign affairs and "global issues" among states within the international system including IGOs, NGOs and multi-national corporations There are schools of thought in the arena on international law and relations that other countries of the world family and the United Nations Organisation and subsidiary bodies have a legitimate authority to intervene in the domestic affairs in relation to gross violations of individual and collective human rights in very special circumstances. What are these special circumstances. It is a moot issue as it depends on the world opinion created on the member country concerned based on the international media which have a network worldwide including the country in question.

To the disbelief amazement and surprise of the world we successfully eradicated LTTE terror, smell of blood and death that had engulfed our nation, region and the world for thirty years in a short span of three years to the relief of the peaceloving members of the world family enhancing our image as a liberator, possessing the most professional security forces, when in Iraq, Afghanistan and other turbulent areas war crimes and unprofessionalism were rampant. We salute our close friends China, India, Middle Eastern, African Sub Continent and the Peoples of EU, UK and USA not necessarily sharing the views of some misguided personalities such as Miliband, Gordon Brown, and with whom Sri Lankan President is bound to mend patches and fences in due course, once the domestic issues are cleared shortly and makes personal diplomatic missions to that part of the world and meeting world leaders. President Obama's offer of close and further ties and friendship with Sri Lanka, Senators statement that USA cannot afford to lose Sri Lanka and the warmth of the ordinary United Kingdom citizens pouring to Sri Lanka to enjoy liberation and beauty mixed with friendship, words of goodwill from the EU to reconsider that the decisions of GSP are positive signs of regaining our image shattered by statements made and steps taken by some of our politicians and powerful government servants who were responsible for politicising the Army and the Judiciary.

World opinion

History has proved that world opinion is not necessarily correct and adverse situations of tarnishing the image of a country, especially in sensitive human rights issues will give rise to drastic consequences to the country in question when it is economically not sound and small in size wanting international support. In such situations powerful nations and organisations tend to flex muscles and twist arms of the weak, to discipline small nations.

President Rajapaksa won the battle as he could not be subjected to pressure of interested groups as his non negotiable such as an undivided country, a unitary state and love to the motherland. These are non-negotiable at any cost. He was steady and firm with regard to them.

Currently Sri Lanka, a very senior member of the world family is in a dilemma on remarks made and the steps taken by the retired Army Commander and the retired Chief Justice, on the image of Sri Lanka "before the eyes of the world family, both of whom are controversial and leading political figures in active party politics today. Fonseka took the unexpected sudden decision to contest the Commander-in-Chief supported by one time arch enemies UNP, JVP and former Chief Justice, his legal advisor and chief promoter who was active in the famous TV chat shows, attacking President Rajapaksa.

On the TV and political platforms Silva exerted vigorous and venomous pressure and attacks on President Rajapaksa, his conduct on governance and matters connected to law and order. Fonseka's public statements on the "White Flag Episode" prompted UK, USA, and some NGOs and UN agencies to inquire into the matter as a matter with grave concern based on the statements made to Sunday Leader on public platforms and the BBC of his willingness to give evidence before an international forum on Sri Lanka and on the conduct of Gotabhaya Rajapaksa - the powerful Defence Secretary. Silva's speech as the Chief Guest promoter and the first signatory of the online Website to free Fonseka which has given wide international publicity by BBC has aggravated the grave situation by still deteriorating world opinion on Sri Lanka.

Sovereignty

We have to work hard to get over this mess created by those who do not love the country. Silva's remarks at the function published worldwide via BBC and all international channels are full of controversy, factual inaccuracies and inflammatory in the context of damaging the image of Sri Lanka, the country has developed with many sacrifices diplomatic community and expatriates worldwide. His statement on "General Fonseka who led the Sri Lankan Army is political." This damaged the good image of this respected nation made secure with sweat and hard work of our great leaders for decades and the diplomatic and expatriate community worldwide.

"Political Prisoner is someone held in prison or otherwise detained for his involvement in political activity". Fonseka is held on charges under military law which is a part of our legal system on violation of military rules, bribery, corruption and many other charges and not on political grounds. A person retired from the Army could be tried under military law six months after the retirement. He is not a threat to the ruling party and his party and supporters are in shambles. He is an unfortunate man disowned and abandoned by persons who used him for their political gains using his weakness for vengeance.

Dangerous signal

This gives a dangerous signal to the world as only a few are aware of political activism of politician turned former Chief Justice. Matters become worst when the statement happens to be on the former Army Commander turned politician by the former Chief Justice turned politician. It is time for us to be cautious and protect the freedom and liberation achieved with blood and sweat of thousands who sacrificed their lives, property and hard work.

Silva's statement that Fonseka is a political prisoner is inflammatory and sends a dangerous signal to the world tarnishing our image when we need a good image especially when the EU is reconsidering its stand to give us the GST facility.

Exposed to public

Politicians are subject to eternal scrutiny by the public and they have no separate private life. It is their choice to belong to the people and are prepared to disclose the entire life to the people they intend to serve Now Fonseka and Silva have become naked objects in glass boxes on the top of a huge mountain watched carefully by the masses as they have chosen to be active in the maze of politics subject to the supervision of the public.

The good news is that Sri Lanka is always fortunate. We were blessed with a leader who foresaw the dangers and acted carefully and swiftly with the vision and the experience backed by the masses that today we enjoy peace ,s and prosperity. Now we are out of danger. Once a 2/3rd majority is given by the people a constitution based on the 'Mahinda Chintana' and Home Grown model will be in force.

We are the first among the 31 best tourist destinations. The Stock market is booming day by day and the influx of tourist is growing. Five Harbours, Airport, the road network as good as in the UK, major irrigation and power projects, are nearing completion. We are elevating to middle class status from poor. English education and IT are given priority. We have a President who also speaks Tamil and loves us and the country taking us to the next generation with rapid development, prosperity and happiness. This is the image that we need to transmit to the world for us to be elevated to be the best in Asia.

The writer is Senior Solicitor Senior Attorney-at-Law and former Chairman, Consumer Affairs Authority.