Western lethargy to go behind LTTE propaganda bylines

THERE is a growing surge of anti-Sri Lankan feelings orchestrated by the LTTE propaganda machinery, at times supported by individuals and organisations with ulterior motives with their sole aim being to destabilize a democracy.

It is having an impact despite the fact the LTTE continues to employ terrorist and violent strategies.

It is amazing that the murder of six Sinhala construction workers in the East and the bombing of several passenger buses go unnoticed while Western commentators and Western diplomats continue to focus on shortcomings of the Government.

Either it is cynical avoidance of the need to address the brutal LTTE reality on the ground or simply lethargy to go behind LTTE’s propaganda bylines.

It is also ironic that many of these donor Governments which raise their stentorian voice about the happenings in Sri Lanka were the very Governments which either tolerated or were complicit in the disappearances of over 1,400 individuals in the past three years in the name of fighting terrorism.

We all know about these individual disappearances in European countries as a part of the CIA led programme of ‘rendition’.

Many were tortured. None of these countries has had to go through the horrors of confronting a ruthless terrorist organisation over a period of 30 years.

In Sri Lanka many of the disappearances which number only about 200 can be explained in full legitimate terms.

There are instances where individuals arrested with proper legal procedures have been lumped together with those who have disappeared.

There are several cases where people concerned have faked disappearances to seek asylum in Western countries or to get their visas expedited.

None of these people who place the blame on the government cared to verify these. It is regrettable to see how gullible these diplomats are.

Well done Bangladesh

ONE of our SAARC neighbours Bangladesh has proved themselves again, this time beating the number one ranked team in the World Cup 2007, South Africa. By this victory, this young Bangladeshi team has also shown the cricketing world that their earlier victory over the mighty Indian team was no flash in the pan.

We also hope the cricketing world and the media would stop referring to the Bangladeshi team as minnows from now. In fact Captain of the Bangladeshi team, Habibul Bashar appealed to the media soon after their famous victory over India not to call them minnows.

We Sri Lankans are saddened by the early exit of the Indian and the Pakistani cricket teams. However, the performance of the Bangladeshi cricket team at the World Cup is something we all can be proud of as South Asians.

We consider it as a victory for cricket in South Asia. We are sure it would encourage other nations in South Asia to take up cricket.

We also hope organisations such as Amnesty International will not try to discredit the young Bangladeshi team after their great performance against the South Africans since organisations such as AI are always trying to discredit South Asians since they need to raise funds for their bread and butter.

Some bleeding hypocrites

SRI LANKANS have to be biggest hypocrites in the world. Last week one Sripathy who apparently is also a big Danapathy was given a table thumping welcome by Ranil's men at Diyawanna because he had decided to rat on his former colleagues not simply about their peccadilloes but also about very confidential if not secret state security matters which are now very public. 

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Wickremesinghe’s empty pocket filled with his horror-scope

Mahindapala challenges Ranil for an open debate:

A little noticed spectre is haunting the Parliament that rises above the Diyawanna Oya in Kotte. It looks like a dead man walking. It has the shape of Ranil Wickremesinghe. A closer look confims that it is Ranil Wickremesinghe, the Leader of the Opposition! This unusual spectacle of Wickremesinghe making his appearance, more often than before, is rather amusing than frightening even to his own backbenchers. 

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Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa:

An icon of dedication, commitment and service to the nation

WE Sri Lankans are good at criticising but less good at serving. Secretary Defence, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, has been on the cross hairs of many critics who believe that he is not living up to expectations. These allegations are either based on partisan political interests or lack of understanding.

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