Engage constructively with SL-Gota

11 February 2013 12:19 pm - 38 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa today asked western governments to engage constructively with Sri Lanka as international pressure especially by western nations misled by LTTE sympathisers would have an adverse impact on the country’s economy.

“Instead of narrowing the scope of their engagement with Sri Lanka because of many misinterpretations and lobbying by special interest groups in their own countries, the nations should engage constructively with the Government. It is only then that they will see for themselves the good work being carried out here despite significant constraints,” Mr. Rajapaksa said.

He made these comments at a joint seminar on political and diplomatic challenges faced by nations during and after conflict confined to borders. The seminar was organized by the Lakshman Kadiragamar Institute for International Relations and Strategic Studies and the Pakistan High Commission.

Mr. Rajapaksa said one of the challenges that a nation faced after an internal conflict was in dealing with other nations where human rights had become one of the most critical topics in the relationship between states.

He said militant groups could be skillful in using their activists around the world to exploit these issues to create problems for the Government in post conflict situation.

“During the course of long conflicts, people will leave the country and seek asylum abroad. Over the years, these asylum seekers will end up getting citizenship in these foreign countries and become a powerful political voice there. For example, the large number of Tamils who migrated to Canada, the United States, Britain, Australia and many European nations during the past three decades now comprises a powerful lobby in those countries,” Mr. Rajapaksa said.

He said there were many lessons to be learnt from the Sri Lankan experience in dealing with its post conflict challenges and that there could be people from the defeated militant group who were still active domestically, working in secret or sometimes more openly.

“In a democratic country, when the security situation and restrictions are relaxed, the allies of the terrorist groups can even work through democratic political parties to propagate the same ideologies that led to militancy in the first place. They may work towards rousing the ideas and feelings of people once again to lead them down the path to armed violence. Any responsible Government needs to be watchful of such developments,” he noted.

Mr. Rajapaksa said there was no doubt that its members will try very hard to restart the conflict in Sri Lanka. This is a threat that must be guarded against, that is why the Government of Sri Lanka will not compromise when it came to providing security to the nation.(Supun Dias)

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Comments - 38

Thomas Tuesday, 12 February 2013 06:03 AM

Don't blame the LTTE for all your ills. When LTTE was in action, you are prevented from development & granting Tamil rights.
Now what have you given after doing away with LTTE in 2009?

AMT Monday, 11 February 2013 09:03 PM

Those countries does NOT believe a word of you what you utter.
You and your Government are the biggest liars of the world?

Mutu Monday, 11 February 2013 10:05 PM

Put white vans on "kota uda".

percy wijekoon Monday, 11 February 2013 11:08 PM

Surely the way to go is tio have an objective look at the causes that brought about this conflict.Does this Govt have the spine to look at them from the many perspectives that one can see it?

akashi Tuesday, 12 February 2013 12:00 AM

don quixote running behind windmills.....!!! via DM Android App

Arul Tuesday, 12 February 2013 02:08 AM

I thought that you don't need any support from the West! but only from China, Iran, Pak etc..

malkanthi Tuesday, 12 February 2013 02:23 AM

Law is the essential foundation of stability and order both within societies and in international relations.

Nodrog Tuesday, 12 February 2013 03:06 AM

No such thing!

Kodithuwakkuarachchi Tuesday, 12 February 2013 05:49 AM

Sapu,

Can you please tell me where do you find the so called "radical Muslim extremists". I don;t see any!!

And what are their "extremist actions"?

AMT Monday, 11 February 2013 08:59 PM

You still continue talking about LTTE shows LTTE is not defeated ? Why did you celebrate the victory with grand parade for the last 3 years!!!

Clifford Tuesday, 12 February 2013 06:06 AM

on stage he talks like no other, but in action he is totally a different actor

Kodithuwakkuarachchi Tuesday, 12 February 2013 06:10 AM

Please come out of the well.

LTTE is invisible only in Sri Lanka. In the West their operations are still the same. They have only changed the war strategy from armed struggle to intellectual struggle. They have penetrated every single Western government and organizations including the UN. While we are relaxing congratulating ourselves they are busy twisting the arms of Western governments to punish Sri Lanka. Its just a matter of time till we end up in a hole unless our VIPs wake up to the reality and do something about it real fast.

Calistus Jayatilleke Tuesday, 12 February 2013 06:11 AM

Great ! Look who is talking - an American citizen advising western powers on how to treat poor Sri Lanka. What patriotism, ha ha

Chris Tuesday, 12 February 2013 06:11 AM

what is unwanted religious based extremist?? what is BBS is doing than? grow up you moron... live peacefully you are not going to be here forever

malkanthi Tuesday, 12 February 2013 06:32 AM

We will only be left with china or may be totally isolated. No more support from muslim nations our highest revenue workforce.

malkanthi Tuesday, 12 February 2013 06:35 AM

No support from Iran, Pakistan if muslims are provoked!!

pasel Tuesday, 12 February 2013 06:42 AM

First you tell us what you did constructively to the country after 2009.
1)Put SF in Jail
2)Send White van to scared people.
3)put big lock on media.

Mahela Wednesday, 13 February 2013 05:40 AM

Engage Constructively........what happened to Darusman report.
What happened to UN Human rights, media suppression, sudden disappearance, war crime, minority rights, innocent people diseppearance, land grab, Colombo, Vaunia and Anuradhapura priosoner torture and killing reports. What happened to LLRC report...........If you could first answer to these please.

Sapumal Bandara Monday, 11 February 2013 03:53 PM

Are you referring to the war crimes committed by the western countries in Iraq, Pakistan and many many other countries??

Western Governments Monday, 11 February 2013 12:58 PM

Ah - you took the words right out of our mouths!

HK Monday, 11 February 2013 12:59 PM

We have to plan and work always ! Also never Iqnore any one coz there's a time we need them !

Em Monday, 11 February 2013 01:11 PM

Tell your BBS to provoke more racial outfits then you will drag Muslims too into the conflict.

sanaml Monday, 11 February 2013 01:15 PM

All bullshit. Don't believe him. This is all BOLA KATHA. The whole world knows what the Rajapakses are up to. Now they are trying to cover up.

pooooojapakse Monday, 11 February 2013 01:30 PM

Do you mean to say LTTE is more powerful than your Govt , to misled the such developed western nations?

Namal Kodithuwakku Monday, 11 February 2013 01:32 PM

100% correct

Ranga Monday, 11 February 2013 01:36 PM

OK Sir,

I will ask the west to behave well!

aja Monday, 11 February 2013 02:08 PM

what about war crimes investigation sir?

Sapumal Bandara Monday, 11 February 2013 03:51 PM

Also tell your radical Muslim extremists not to provoke the Sinhalese into the conflict by the unwanted religious based extremist actions of theirs.

Don Don Q Monday, 11 February 2013 12:00 AM

"Constructively" :) via DM Android App

R.Dias Monday, 11 February 2013 03:54 PM

warning...?

nandasena Monday, 11 February 2013 04:02 PM

We must maintain security of the nation what ever western governments say. They apply double standards.

LBJ Monday, 11 February 2013 04:24 PM

You must be a cool aid consumer. Remember Jones Town?

RamUK Monday, 11 February 2013 05:12 PM

make is '134' %

Anil Monday, 11 February 2013 05:25 PM

Also observe the rule of law and good governance. Respect Human rights Then the West will leave us alone. The ball is in your Court.

Mahen Monday, 11 February 2013 06:09 PM

It's not dragging, but hiding behind BBS.

Russel Monday, 11 February 2013 06:44 PM

westerners worry about their arms and ngo business.

Hamden Monday, 11 February 2013 08:48 PM

An American Citizen Gota talking....

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Engage constructively with SL-Gota

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