Growing US interests in asia could affect SL: Gota

14 June 2013 12:37 am - 19 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The United State’s establishment of a base in the Maldives could change the complexion of the sub-continent region as there is likelihood of its growing interest in the region by aligning more with India; thus causing a factor which may affect Sri Lanka, Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa said yesterday.

He said this while delivering a lecture for students following the National Interest Module of the inaugural MPhil/PhD Programme of the Kotelawala Defence University.

The Defence Secretary pointed out that it was essential to further strengthen the existing cordial relationships with powerful nations such as China and Russia, which have permanent seats on the United Nations Security Council and could influence any international action on Sri Lanka more significantly than other nations.

“Issues between India and Pakistan, and the issues between India and China are particularly sensitive in this regard. With the rise of China as a world economic leader, there is a widespread belief that India feels insecure and is seeking to align itself with the other powers that seem similarly threatened by China’s ascendancy,” he added.

The Defence Secretary said this while delivering a lecture for students following the National Interest Module of the inaugural MPhil/PhD Programme of the Kotelawala Defence University. The speech was on the topic, ‘Sri Lanka’s National Security Concerns’.

Mr.Rajapaksa said although the likelihood of events such as the Arab Spring transpiring in Sri Lanka is minimal as a result of it being a democratic nation with an extremely popular political leadership that enjoys a very large electoral majority, the possible trend needs to be monitored.

“With the emergence of technology driven new media including social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter and other websites on the Internet, we have seen the potential of this new media to destabilize nations and affect serious change in the case of countries like Tunisia, Libya and Egypt,” he said.

“Many of our youth are familiar with social media and use it as a tool to gather information as well as propagate ideas. Those with vested interests can exploit social media to cause problems in Sri Lanka by propagating certain ideologies online and mobilising and organising people,” he said.

He noted that this can be done with a minimal physical presence and therefore forms a threat that is difficult to contain through the traditional tools of national defence. (Supun Dias)

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Comments - 19

MR Friday, 14 June 2013 08:46 AM

Poor insects should not play with elephants(India, China, US)
Good chance will get crushed...

Pakse Sunday, 16 June 2013 12:00 AM

SL Goverment Ministry of dumb asses via DM Android App

sri Saturday, 15 June 2013 04:23 PM

More trouble in the region. Is'nt he an American citizen?!

meegammana Saturday, 15 June 2013 01:28 PM

kuma you meaning of langoat?hope you are not one of that.buruwek wenna epa kuma

fahmya Friday, 14 June 2013 09:46 AM

These economic development really will contribute for the development of Rajapaksha family financially and not the civil society.

Mewan Friday, 14 June 2013 09:43 AM

Whats so funny about it ?

kumar Friday, 14 June 2013 09:43 AM

What about your interest in US green card?

Asanka Friday, 14 June 2013 09:11 AM

finally you realised, assumed that US would just lye low and wait till China runs the show..
you are so wrong DS.. that why there is something called Diplomacy, which you and all lack..
God Bless SL!!!

Gopal Friday, 14 June 2013 09:07 AM

What foolish lecture of this little man the brother of Mahunda!! Who is this man to analyse the geopolitical situation in the Indian ocean? does he possess requiered qualification in English to talk rubbish?

mohan Friday, 14 June 2013 08:59 AM

Why Secretary worrying, ........

pasel Friday, 14 June 2013 02:03 AM

Yes growing chinese intrests in sri lanka will bring the country

Real Peace Friday, 14 June 2013 08:23 AM

Annoying India?! Please don't ignore what happened/happens in northern Cyprus.

sampath Friday, 14 June 2013 07:07 AM

Sir, well said. Your totally right social media will be a big issue one day for Sri Lanka, becourse we have very high literacy rate but very low IQ, this mean you can fool people easily and also propagating ideologies and mobilising & organising people for the same.
We may have to come to term with this oneway or the other, people also use this to harres & discriminate otheres, by posting pcitures etc.. so i wonder whether these social media do lot bad than good for the society at large.

shirantha Friday, 14 June 2013 06:21 AM

sir you are the best...!!!! if you do something its always correct...no matters

ravisandu Friday, 14 June 2013 06:05 AM

/ Mr.Rajapaksa said although the likelihood of events such as the Arab Spring transpiring in Sri Lanka is minimal as a result of it being a democratic nation with an extremely popular political leadership that enjoys a very large electoral majority, the possible trend needs to be monitored. /

Arab spring happened in autocratic, despotic countries. The rulers there also had an illusion about their huge popularity.

HRfan Friday, 14 June 2013 04:44 AM

The eternal bad relations with neighboring countries, India is slowly but surely making the Indian Ocean destination for military bases of others.

mail_guy Friday, 14 June 2013 04:18 AM

Funny comment. I laugh out loud.

Porky Pig Friday, 14 June 2013 02:23 AM

Yes, Sri Lanka has a high literacy rate but a low IQ.

Dr.sarathcandra Friday, 14 June 2013 02:18 AM

Sir well done you will be the next PRESIDENT the first to garlend ANANDA tribute and a big SALUTE from an ANANDIAN thank you BUDUSARANAI

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Growing US interests in asia could affect SL: Gota

Comments - 19

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